The purpose of this study was to examine the role of self compassion for maladaptive perfectionism in college students. Self compassion acts as a helper for positive psychological factors and buffer for negative psychological factors. This study was conducted as study 1 and study 2.
Study 1 aimed to identify the clinical utility of self compassion by investigating the relationship between maladaptive perfectionism, self compassion, life satisfaction and depression.
Study 2 aimed to develop and evaluate a self compassion short-term intervention program.
Study 1 was designed to test the relationships among maladaptive perfectionism, self compassion, life satisfaction and depression. It was hypothesized that self compassion would mediate the relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and life satisfaction / depression. The participants of this study included 309 undergraduate students. The data were analyzed using a SEM(Structural Equation Modeling) to see the variables relationships. The results of study 1 showed that self compassion had a significant effect on depression and life satisfaction in maladaptive perfectionism. Results showed fully mediation in both paths, indicating that self compassion is core variable for helping maladaptive perfectionists. Therefore, the clinical utility of self compassion was identified.
Study 2 was designed to develop a self compassion short-term intervention program for maladaptive perfectionist and its efficacy was examined. The program was developed through a careful review of previous studies and then conducted to participants. The study participants were recruited voluntarily through publicity. The experimental group was divided into maladaptive perfectionism and non perfectionism, and they participated in self compassion short-term intervention program. The control group was also divided into maladaptive perfectionism and non perfectionism, and only questionnaires were conducted. Measurements were made three times. Their scores were compared with those four groups. The results of study 2 showed that the experimental group enhanced self compassion, life satisfaction and reduced negative affect, depression, anxiety after participated the program. On the other hand, there was no difference in the control group, and life satisfaction tended to decrease in maladaptive perfectionism group. The self compassion short-term intervention program was effective for both maladaptive perfectionism and non perfectionism. In the experimental group, anxiety only showed a larger effect between maladaptive perfectionist and non perfectionist. As a result of this study, it was confirmed that the self compassion short-term intervention program was effective. And it is significant that only short-term intervention is effective and sustainable. Therefore, the self compassion short-term intervention program will be useful in many psychotherapeutic settings.
Lastly, how this study can contribute to an integrative understanding of the process of self compassion for maladaptive perfectionism is discussed. Limitations of the current study and suggestions for future studies are also discussed.