Perfectionism as a predictor of subsequent adjustment: Evidence for a specific diathesis-stress mechanism among college students

The relations among perfectionism, stress, subsequent psychological symptoms, and hopelessness were examined among 215 college students. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to determine whether dimensions of perfectionism (P. Hewitt & G. Flett, 1991) predicted psychological symptoms and hopelessness (1 month later), and the extent to which stress scores added incremental validity to these predictions. Results indicated that socially prescribed perfectionism was a significant predictor of both adjustment measures. In addition, stress accounted for a significant amount of additional variance in predicting adjustment beyond perfectionism. Consistent with a diathesis-stress model, a significant Perfectionism X Stress interaction was found in predicting scores on adjustment measures beyond perfectionism and stress. However, this interaction was only found for socially prescribed perfectionism. Results provide support for a specific diathesis-stress mechanism and important implications for developing specific interventions in working with perfectionistic college students.