Dimensions of perfectionism, daily stress, and depression: A test of the specific vulnerability hypothesis.

Tested whether perfectionism dimensions interact with specific stressors to predict depression. A depressed patient sample (N?=?51) and a general psychiatric sample (N?=?94) completed measures of perfectionism, hassles, and depression. Ss in Sample 2 also completed other personality measures to assess the amount of unique variance in depression. Partial support was obtained: In both samples, self-oriented perfectionism interacted only with achievement stressors to predict depression. Socially prescribed perfectionism interacted with interpersonal stress in Sample 1 and with achievement stress in Sample 2 to predict depression. Several personality variables, including socially prescribed perfectionism, accounted for unique variance in depression. The results suggest that perfectionism dimensions are associated with depression and may constitute specific vulnerability factors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)