Predicting hopelessness and psychological distress: the role of perfectionism and coping

Citation

O'Connor R & O'Connor DB (2003) Predicting hopelessness and psychological distress: the role of perfectionism and coping. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 50 (3), pp. 362-372. http://www.apa.org/journals/cou/; https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.50.3.362

Abstract
This study investigated an integrative model involving the relationship between perfectionism (P.L. Hewitt & G.L. Flett, 1991) and coping (C.S. Carver, M.F. Scheier, & J.K. Weintraub, 1989) to predict changes in hopelessness and general psychological distress among college students. Results indicated that changes in psychological well-being (4 to 5 weeks later) were predicted by socially prescribed perfectionism and, as theorized, avoidance coping moderated the link between perfectionism and psychological well-being beyond initial levels of distress. Support was also found for the adaptive effects of cognitive reconstruction coping and other-oriented perfectionism whereas, under certain conditions, self-oriented perfectionism was shown to be maladaptive. These findings offer support for the proposed model. Implications for intervention and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Keywords
hopelessness; perfectionism; coping; distress; students; College students Mental health; Perfectionism (Personality trait); Stress (Psychology)

Journal
Journal of Counseling Psychology: Volume 50, Issue 3