Perfectionism and Obsessive-Compulsive Symptom Dimensions in University Students

Introduction Perfectionism is a multidimensional and transdiagnostic construct associated with several psychiatric conditions, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The relationship between perfectionism and specific obsessive-compulsive symptom (OCS) dimensions remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the correlation between perfectionism and obsessive-compulsive symptom dimensions in a non-clinical sample of university students from different academic fields. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with undergraduate students from the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Brazil. Participants completed self-report instruments assessing the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale - Short Form (MPS-SF), the Dimensional Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale - Short Version (DYBOCS-SV), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Correlational analyses were performed using the Spearman test, and multiple linear regression was conducted to evaluate the OCS dimensions, anxiety, and depression on the variance in perfectionism scores. Results The sample demonstrated moderate to high levels of perfectionism, and approximately 28% of participants reported clinically relevant OCS. Perfectionism was significantly associated with anxiety symptoms and with some specific OCS dimensions. Depressive symptoms were not significantly associated with perfectionism in the regression model.  Conclusion These findings suggest that perfectionism is associated with specific OCS dimensions and anxiety symptoms in a non-clinical university population. The results support the relevance of investigating perfectionism within a dimensional and transdiagnostic framework, particularly in relation to subclinical obsessive-compulsive phenomena during emerging adulthood.