Revisiting the Effects of Perfectionism on Depression Controlled for Anxiety

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the process by which perfectionism leads to depression, as confirmed by Kobori & Tanno (2002), after controlling for the influence of anxiety. Perfectionism, depression, and anxiety were measured among 346 university students. The results revealed that (1) desire for perfectionism promoted personal standards and concern over mistakes and (2) personal standards might have suppressed depression; these findings were consistent with those reported by Kobori & Tanno (2002). Additionally, we found that (3) concern over mistakes was not directly related to depression but indirectly promoted depression through anxiety, and (4) personal standards suppressed anxiety. Based on these results, the significance of applying perfectionism to psychological interventions aimed at improving depression and anxiety is discussed.