Adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism: developmental origins and association with depression proneness

An emerging body of evidence has supported the distinction of adaptive and maladaptive subtypes of perfectionism. Although it has been hypothesized that developmental factors, particularly parenting experiences, play a role in the genesis of adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism, there is little empirical work available. Accordingly, the present study investigated the relationship among parenting experiences, adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism and depression proneness in a group of 261 college students. Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate a causal model in which harsh and perfectionistic parenting lead to maladaptive perfectionism which, in turn, leads to depression proneness. The model also included a path in which perfectionistic parenting leads to adaptive perfectionism which, in turn, has an inverse relationship with depression proneness. Fit statistics demonstrated superior fit of the hypothesized model compared to alternative models. There was evidence that maladaptive perfectionism mediates the relationship between harsh parenting and depression proneness. The results suggested that adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism have shared and unique developmental origins and that adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism have a differential relationship with depression proneness in adulthood. The results also suggest one mechanism by which harsh parenting may lead to vulnerability to depression. The findings support the validity of the adaptive/maladaptive dichotomy of perfectionism.