Perfectionism and perceived stress: The role of fear of negative evaluation

Perfectionism is a multidimensional construct, with adaptive and maladaptive dimensions. Various studies have been conducted to explore the phenomenon of perfectionism. Perfectionism has been allied to achieve impossibly high standards, illogical significance on the achievement of these standards and overgeneralize failures. Researchers focused on how perfectionism leads to various psychological maladjustments. Building upon past research about perfectionism and perceived stress among students, this study tested a model of the association between each aspect of perfectionism (i.e., adaptive and maladaptive) and perceived stress mediating by fear of negative evaluation. From data obtained from a sample of undergraduate and postgraduate students from Rawalpindi and Islamabad institutions (N = 300), it has been found that maladaptive perfectionism is significantly related to perceived stress and fear of negative evaluation. Mediation tests revealed that fear of negative evaluation accounts for mediating the direct relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and perceived stress. No complementary associations are shown by adaptive perfectionism with fear of negative evaluation and perceived stress. This study indicated that maladaptive perfectionists are exposed to more stress by taking the fear of negative evaluation. The current study will highlight directions for future research and implications for reducing the fear of negative evaluation of perfectionists, which is one of the main causes of psychological distress.