Perfectionism and domain contingencies of self-worth.

Abstract

The present study explored how Maladaptive Evaluative Concerns (MEC) perfectionism and Positive Achievement Strivings (PAS) perfectionism may be related to contingent self-worth in different life domains. We also examined how contingent self-worth may moderate the effect of MEC perfectionism and PAS perfectionism on participants’ response to negative performance feedback. Participants completed questionnaires assessing their levels of perfectionism and contingent self-worth in the external domains of appearance, academic competence, competition, others’ approval, family support, and the internal domains of God’s love and virtue. Participants’ levels of state self-esteem, positive affect and negative affect were assessed pre- and post-performance feedback. Results showed that PAS perfectionism exhibited a stronger relation than MEC perfectionism to overall contingent self-worth. PAS perfectionism was also related to contingent self-worth in both external and internal domains, while MEC perfectionism was related to contingent self-worth only in external domains. Analyses of pre- and post state self-esteem and affect revealed that contingent self-worth moderated the effect of PAS perfectionism on participants’ decrease in state-self esteem and positive affect, but did not do so for MEC perfectionism. Our findings suggest that PAS perfectionism may be a vulnerability factor for distress through contingent self-worth. Other theoretical and practical implications as well as directions for future research are discussed.