The relationship of temperament to multidimensional perfectionism trait

Individual temperamental factors that contribute to the development of two perfectionism traits were studied in 428 Japanese undergraduate students using the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS) and Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). The results showed that self-oriented perfectionism is associated with the temperamental characteristics of low novelty seeking, high reward dependence, and high persistence. In contrast, socially prescribed perfectionism is associated with low novelty seeking and high harm avoidance. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that these temperaments primarily predicted self-oriented perfectionism, controlling for socially prescribed perfectionism. These temperamental characteristics did not predict socially prescribed perfectionism when self-oriented perfectionism was controlled.