Well-being and Perfectionism in Students: Adaptive versus Maladaptive

The Mediating Effect of Social Problem-Solving Between Perfectionism and Subjective Well-Being

This study examined the relationship between perfectionism and subjective well-being (SWB) and dimensions of social problem-solving ability. The Almost Perfect Scale-Revised (APS-R), Social problem-solving Inventory-Revised (SPSI-R) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) were used to conduct a questionnaire survey of 202 Chinese adults. The results found that: (1) Subjective well-being was significantly negatively correlated with the discrepancy dimension of perfectionism and was also significantly negatively correlated with the negative problem orientation of social problem-solving. (2) The discrepancy dimension reflected in maladaptive perfectionism was significantly positively correlated with the negative aspects of social problem solving (Negative Problem Orientation, NPO; Impulsivity-Carelessness Style, ICS; and Avoidance Style, AS). (3) The negative problem orientation (NPO) dimension in SPSI-R, as a partial mediator, mediated the negative correlation between maladaptive perfectionism and subjective well-being. In conclusion, perfectionism and social problem-solving ability had different degrees of influence on the SWB of Chinese adults, and attention could be paid to dealing with discrepancy and how to reduce negative problem-solving tendency in education and clinical practice.

Factorial Validity and Factorial Invariance Across Gender of the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale-Chinese version in Undergraduates

OBJECTIVE

This study was aimed to examine the factor structure and factorial invariance across gender of the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale-Chinese version (FMPS-CV).

METHODS

The FMPS-CV was completed by 2451 undergraduates. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were performed to verify its factorial validity, and Multigroup CFA were performed to examine its factorial invariance across gender. Gender differences were compared on scores of FMPS-CV. The internal consistency and test-retest reliability were also detected. Clinical characteristics were compared between adaptive and maladaptive perfectionists categorized by positive and negative scores of FMPS-CV.

RESULTS

CFA supported the six-factor structure of FMPS-CV, and Multigroup CFA evidenced its factorial invariance across gender. No significant gender differences were found. The adaptive perfectionists scored significantly lower on clinical variables than maladaptive perfectionists. Moreover, the reliability indicators met the standards.

CONCLUSIONS

The good psychometrics properties of FMPS-CV supported it could be used to assess perfectionism in Chinese young adults.