Moderator role of perfectionism between negative life events and depressive symptoms among Turkish youth.
BACKGROUND
This study examined the moderator role of perfectionism in the relationship between different domains of life events and depressive symptoms.


METHODS
The participants were 210 undergraduate students. They were asked to complete the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, the Life Events Inventory for University Students and the Beck Depression Inventory.


RESULTS
Results supported the moderator role of both self-oriented and others-oriented perfectionism between the relationship of achievement-related life events and depressive symptoms. That is, the association between experiencing achievement-related life events and depressive symptoms was stronger for those who had high levels of self-oriented or others-oriented perfectionism. Although socially prescribed perfectionism did not moderate the relationship between life events and depressive symptoms, this dimension of perfectionism and both achievement-related and social life events were found to be significantly associated with depressive symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Particularly for the undergraduates who set high standards for themselves and/or for others, experiencing negative achievement-related life events may be crucial for the potential symptoms of depression.
Gençöz
Tülin
T
Department of Psychology, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey. tgencoz@metu.edu.tr
Dinç
Yasemin
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D014421:Turkey