First Advisor

Softas-Nall, Basilia

Document Type

Dissertation

Date Created

8-2017

Department

College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, Applied Psychology and Counselor Education, APCE Student Work

Abstract

The following study examined how self-compassion and shame effect the relationship between adaptive/maladaptive perfectionism and depression. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to examine the predictive role of adaptive/maladaptive perfectionism, shame, and self-compassion on depression. This study included a sample size of 226 undergraduate and graduate students from a university in the Rocky Mountain region. Results from the multiple regression analysis found maladaptive perfectionism was a significant predictor of depression (β = .540, p < .01), which supported findings from previous research. When shame and self-compassion were included, results indicated self-compassion (β = -.257, p < .01) and shame (β = .382, p < .01) were full mediators in the relationship between maladaptive perfectionism (β = .035, p = .707) and depression. The change in significance for maladaptive perfectionism from β = .540 to β = .035 was statistically significant (p < .01) showing important mediating effects of self-compassion and shame. Interestingly, adaptive perfectionism was found to act as a suppressor variable in this study; which provided important theoretical and methodological implications for future research. Overall, results emphasized the importance of targeting decreasing shame and increasing self-compassion for those with depression and maladaptive perfectionistic behaviors and beliefs.

Keywords

Perfectionism (Personality trait); Depression, Mental -- Research; Shame -- Research; Self-perception

Extent

222 pages

Local Identifiers

Barritt_unco_0161D_10578

Rights Statement

Copyright is held by the author.

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