The Relationship between Perfectionism and Academic Achievement, Depression and Anxiety

Objective: In Iran few studies have investigated the association among the dimensions of perfectionism with the academic achievement and other psychopathologies, such as depression and anxiety. This study has investigated these relationships in an Iranian school-age sample. Methods: Using multistage cluster random sampling, 793 students completed the questionnaire anonymously in the classroom in 2007. The positive and negative perfectionism scale, the Revised Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale, the Children’s Depression Inventory, and term point average (academic achievement) were assessed. Data was analyzed with descriptive statistics and multiple linear regressions, using SPSS. Results: Negative and positive perfectionisms were found to be positive and negative predictors, respectively, for depression (p < 0.001) and anxiety (p < 0.001) and conversely, negative and positive predictors for academic achievement, respectively (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Distinguishing positive and negative aspects of perfectionism is important in understanding the implications of perfectionism on academic achievement. Our findings indicate that although we must take care of unhealthy and neurotic consequences of negative perfectionism, such as depression and anxiety, which may have negative effects on academic achievement, but positive striving for perfection can help the students to improve their academic achievement.