Perfectionism, (self-)compassion, and subjective well-being: A mediation model

Perfectionism has shown negative relationships with self-compassion and subjective well-being (SWB), but perfectionism is multidimensional and not all dimensions may show these negative relationships. Moreover, it is unclear whether low self-compassion mediates the negative relationships of multidimensional perfectionism with SWB, and whether low compassion for others plays an additional role. This study (N = 309) examined these relationships in a mediation model. Self-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism showed negative relationships with self-compassion, and other-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism showed negative relationships with compassion for others whereas self-oriented perfectionism showed a positive relationship. Furthermore, both self-compassion and compassion for others positively predicted SWB, and both fully mediated the perfectionism–SWB relationships. The findings suggest that (self-)compassion may explain why some dimensions of perfectionism show negative relationships with SWB.