Moderators of the perfectionism-depression connection: When is it bad to want to be good?

Some theorists have proposed that holding perfectionistic standards contributes to depression. Others have proposed that pursuing perfectionistic standards can be either positive or negative depending upon other circumstances. This study examined three potential types of variables that might moderate the relationship between perfectionism and depression: avoidance motivation, positive goal expectation, and a final category which included self-esteem variability, self-worth contingency and linking. It was proposed that perfectionism and depression scores would be positively related only among those who are motivated to avoid failure, who have little hope that they can meet their goals, and/or who base their self-worth on the accomplishment of their goals. Multiple regression was used to test the study hypotheses. The pattern of results suggested that both avoidance motivation and positive goal expectation may moderate the relationship between perfectionism and depression. None of the variables in the third category of proposed moderators had a significant moderating role.