Background: This study examined the moderator role of perfectionism in the relationship between different domains of life events and depressive symptoms.
Method: 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.
Discussion: Particularly for the undergraduates who sethigh standards for themselves and/or for others, experiencing negative achievement-related life events may be crucial for the potential symptoms of depression.
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