Exploring the role of self-compassion and perfectionism in the prediction of psychological distress and psychological well-being in adolescents: a research portfolio
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Date
03/07/2017Author
Campbell, Kim
Metadata
Abstract
Background: Previous research has reported positive correlations between
perfectionism, anxiety and depression within community adolescent samples.
Psychological distress has the potential to develop into adulthood; therefore
consideration is required about potential mechanisms that could positively impact
on this trajectory. Self-compassion has been shown to be negatively associated
with psychopathology and positively related to psychological well-being. It has
also been found to be inversely related to maladaptive perfectionism (negative
aspects of perfectionism) in adult populations. No previous studies have examined
both constructs of perfectionism and self-compassion in an adolescent population
and what impact they may have on psychological distress and well-being.
Aims: This research had two aims: 1. Conduct a systematic literature review
exploring the relationship between perfectionism and anxiety/stress in young
people; 2. Establish empirically whether perfectionism and self-compassion have a
role in the prediction of psychological distress and psychological well-being in an
adolescent population.
Method: For the first aim a systematic review of the literature was conducted to
identify studies that explored the relationships between perfectionism and
anxiety/stress in young people. Fourteen papers were identified which were
subsequently subjected to methodological appraisal using quality criteria. To
address the second aim an empirical study was conducted. It was a cross-sectional,
quantitative design using self-report surveys, in an adolescent population (n=128;
64.1% female, mean age 16.24 years) across schools in Edinburgh.
Results: The results of the systematic review suggested that there is a significant
relationship between perfectionism and anxiety and/or stress in young people;
however, some inconsistent results were found between the perfectionism subtypes
and their impact on anxiety. Methodologically, the studies held good internal
validity, but external validity was poor meaning that the ability to generalise
findings beyond the remit of the studies was questionable. The results of the
empirical study demonstrated a significant relationship between perfectionism and
self-compassion and a subsequent relationship with psychological distress and
psychological well-being in the adolescent population. An interaction effect
between perfectionism and self-compassion was also established for some of the
variables, with self-compassion playing a particularly significant role in this
relationship.
Conclusions: Overall, there is evidence to suggest a link between perfectionism
and psychopathology in adolescents. The factors of perfectionism and self-compassion
demonstrated a significant relationship, with both constructs having an
impact on psychological well-being in particular. Self-compassion demonstrated a
strong predictive relationship to both psychological distress and psychological
well-being. The significant findings regarding self-compassion in particular
suggest that it may be a potential strategy for working with young people (either
clinically or in academic settings) who experience psychological distress related to
perfectionistic tendencies. Further research exploring perfectionism and self-compassion
and the link with psychopathology in adolescents is much needed. In
particular, studies are required which attempt to focus on this area with alternative
designs (non cross-sectional), different methodologies and various clinical and
non-clinical adolescent populations.