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Stress and Self-Esteem Mediate the Relationships between Different Categories of Perfectionism and Life Satisfaction

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Abstract

This study was conducted to explore the unclear relationships among stress and self-esteem and life satisfaction of perfectionists. A sample of 1957 Chinese undergraduates completed Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-short form (Q-LES-Q). Cluster analysis was used to define categories of perfectionists and nonperfectionists. Correlation analysis and structural equation modeling were also used. Results showed that adaptive perfectionists had higher RSES scores and Q-LES-Q scores and lower PSS scores than maladaptive perfectionists (all p < 0.01). All variables were correlated significantly (all p < 0.01) and were included in the final structural equation model, which fitted the data well. These results indicated that both stress and self-esteem mediated the relationships between adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism and life satisfaction, and self-esteem suppressed the negative effect of stress on life satisfaction.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 81371487).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Studies of Psychological Application, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510631, China

    Lingyu Chen, Mingtian Zhong, Yang Wang, Weihong Cen & Xifu Zheng

  2. Medical Psychological Institute, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, #139 Ren-Min Zhong Road, Changsha,Hunan, 410011, China

    Xiyu Cao, Xinhu Jin, Xiongzhao Zhu, Shuqiao Yao & Jinyao Yi

  3. College of Education, Hunan Agriculture University, Changsha, Hunan, 410028, China

    Yu Ling

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  1. Lingyu Chen
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Correspondence to Jinyao Yi.

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Lingyu Chen and Mingtian Zhong contributed equally to this work.

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Chen, L., Zhong, M., Cao, X. et al. Stress and Self-Esteem Mediate the Relationships between Different Categories of Perfectionism and Life Satisfaction. Applied Research Quality Life 12, 593–605 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-016-9478-3

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