Understanding perfectionism and depression in an adult clinical population: Is outcome expectancy relevant to psychological functioning?. (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cheng, Philip; Dolsen, Emily A.; Girz, Laura; Rudowski, Michael; Chang, Edward; Deldin, Patricia
• Is Part Of: Personality and individual differences. Volume 75(2015)
• Page Start: 64
• Page End: 67
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: Perfectionism -- Performance -- Outcome expectancy -- Depression; Personality -- Periodicals; Individuality -- Periodicals; Individuality -- Periodicals; Personality Development -- Periodicals; Personnalité -- Périodiques; Individualité -- Périodiques; 155.205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2014.10.053
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0191-8869

Abstract

Highlights: Outcome expectancy involved in perfectionism compared between MDD and controls. Outcome expectancy involved in perfectionism differs in MDD versus controls. Higher negative and lower positive outcome expectancies found in MDD. Outcome expectancy involved in perfectionism relates to depression severity. Abstract: Perfectionism is a personality trait defined by high standards of performance, which has been identified as a risk factor for major depressive disorder (MDD). The present study examined if outcome expectancy involved in perfectionism differs for individuals with depression compared to non-depressed controls, and how outcome expectancy relates to depression symptoms. This study included 49 depressed and 42 non-depressed participants. Perfectionism and depression severity were measured via self-report instruments. This study is the first to provide preliminary evidence that outcome expectancies involved in perfectionism may be related to psychological functioning in depression. Individuals with depression demonstrated higher negative and lower positive outcome expectancies associated with perfectionism compared to non-depressed participants. Perfectionism outcome expectancies are also related to depression severity and symptoms. Future research should prospectively investigate relationships of outcome expectancy involved in perfectionism in individuals at risk for depression.