Stress and Self-Esteem Mediate the Relationships between Different Categories of Perfectionism and Life Satisfaction

This study was conducted to explore the unclear relationships among stress and self-esteem and life satisfaction of perfectionists. A sample of 1957 Chinese undergraduates completed Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-short form (Q-LES-Q). Cluster analysis was used to define categories of perfectionists and nonperfectionists. Correlation analysis and structural equation modeling were also used. Results showed that adaptive perfectionists had higher RSES scores and Q-LES-Q scores and lower PSS scores than maladaptive perfectionists (all p < 0.01). All variables were correlated significantly (all p < 0.01) and were included in the final structural equation model, which fitted the data well. These results indicated that both stress and self-esteem mediated the relationships between adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism and life satisfaction, and self-esteem suppressed the negative effect of stress on life satisfaction.