Self-critical perfectionism and lower mindfulness and self-compassion predict anxious and depressive symptoms over two years

This study of 124 community adults examined whether perfectionism interacts with mindfulness and self-compassion to predict anxiety and depressive symptoms over two years. Participants completed measures of self-critical (SC) and personal standards (PS) higher-order dimensions of perfectionism at Ti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Behaviour research and therapy 2021-01, Vol.136, p.103780-103780, Article 103780
Main Authors: Tobin, Ryan, Dunkley, David M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anxiety
Depression
Mindfulness
Perfectionism
Self-compassion
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Summary:This study of 124 community adults examined whether perfectionism interacts with mindfulness and self-compassion to predict anxiety and depressive symptoms over two years. Participants completed measures of self-critical (SC) and personal standards (PS) higher-order dimensions of perfectionism at Time 1; mindfulness and self-compassion domains and facets at Time 2 one year later; and general distress (i.e., shared between depression and anxiety), anxious arousal, and anhedonic depressive symptoms at Time 1, Time 2, and Time 3 two years after baseline. In contrast to PS, SC perfectionism was associated with lower mindfulness and self-compassion domains and facets. Hierarchical regression analyses of moderator effects demonstrated that individuals with higher Time 1 SC perfectionism and lower Time 2 domain mindfulness or self-compassion had higher Time 3 general distress symptoms than others, adjusting for the effects of Time 1 and Time 2 symptoms. SC perfectionism also interacted with specific facets of mindfulness (i.e., observing, nonreactivity) and self-compassion (i.e., self-kindness, mindfulness, over-identification) to predict Time 3 general distress and/or anxious arousal symptoms. These findings highlight the importance of fostering mindfulness and self-compassion to reduce vulnerability to anxious and depressive symptoms in individuals with higher SC perfectionism. •Self-critical (SC) perfectionism related to lower mindfulness and self-compassion.•SC perfectionism and lower mindfulness predicted distress symptoms over 2 years.•SC perfectionism and lower self-compassion predicted distress symptoms over time.•SC perfectionism interacted with specific mindfulness and self-compassion facets.•Personal standards did not interact with mindfulness and self-compassion.
ISSN:0005-7967
1873-622X
DOI:10.1016/j.brat.2020.103780