Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effects of Self-distancing in Young Children
Published on: March 1, 2019
Maladaptive perfectionism as an intervening variable between psychological control and adolescent depressive
Bart Soenens1, Koen Luyckx, Maarten Vansteenkiste
1Department of Developmental, Social, and Personality Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. Bart.Soenens@UGent.be
Abstract:
Maladaptive perfectionism has been postulated as an intervening variable between psychologically controlling parenting and adolescent internalizing problems. Although this hypothesis has been confirmed in a number of cross-sectional studies, it has not yet been examined from a longitudinal perspective. Findings from this 3-wave longitudinal study show that parental psychological control (as indexed by parent and adolescent reports) at age 15 years predicted increased levels of maladaptive perfectionism 1 year later. Maladaptive perfectionism, in turn, predicted increased levels of adolescent depressive symptoms again 1 year later and acted as a significant intervening variable between parental psychological control at Time 1 and depressive symptoms at Time 3. Multigroup analyses show that the model tested was consistent across gender for paternal psychological control but not for maternal psychological control. Suggestions for future research are outlined.
Related Concept Videos
Self-Discrepancy Theory
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Self-Discrepancy and Its Effects
Self-Presentation: Self-Monitoring and Self-Handicapping
Protecting Self-Esteem
Anorexia Nervosa
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...