Negative attributional style as a moderator of the link between perfectionism and depressive symptoms: Preliminary evidence for an integrative model

An integrative model involving perfectionism and negative attributional style as predictors of depressive symptoms was proposed and tested in 222 college students. Beyond the expected additive influences of the 2 predictors in the prediction of dysphoria, negative attributional style was also hypothesized to moderate the link between perfectionism and depressive symptoms. As theorized, results indicated that dimensions of perfectionism (P. Hewitt & G. Flett, 1991b) predicted depressive symptoms (2 months later) and that a negative attributional style added incremental validity to these predictions. Moreover, consistent with the proposed model, the Perfectionism X Negative Attributional Style interaction was found to further augment the prediction of depressive symptoms. These findings are taken to offer preliminary support for the proposed model. Some implications for future studies are discussed.