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Perfectionism, procrastination, and psychological distress
Kenneth G Rice1, Clarissa M E Richardson, Dustin Clark
1Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA. kgr1@ufl.edu
Journal of Counseling Psychology
|February 23, 2012
Summary
Maladaptive perfectionism and procrastination are stable throughout a college semester. However, procrastination only significantly predicts psychological distress for students with low levels of perfectionism.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Educational Psychology
- Student Mental Health
Background:
- Maladaptive perfectionism and procrastination are common among college students.
- Understanding the temporal dynamics of these constructs is crucial for student well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the stability of maladaptive perfectionism, procrastination, and psychological distress.
- To investigate the mediational and moderating relationships between these constructs over a semester.
Main Methods:
- Cross-panel design with 2 successive cohorts of college students (N = 357).
- Data collected at 3 time points within a college semester.
- Statistical analyses including mediational and moderation models.
Main Results:
- Maladaptive perfectionism, procrastination, and psychological distress demonstrated substantial stability over time.
- Procrastination was found to be particularly stable.
- A significant interaction effect revealed that procrastination's impact on distress was contingent on perfectionism levels.
Conclusions:
- Maladaptive perfectionism and procrastination are enduring traits during college.
- Procrastination exacerbates psychological distress primarily in students with lower levels of perfectionism.
- Interventions should consider the interplay between perfectionism and procrastination for at-risk students.
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