The Relationship between Maladaptive Perfectionism and Anxiety in First-Year Undergraduate Students: A Moderated Mediation Model

Abstract

To clarify the underlying mechanism of first-year undergraduate students’ maladaptive perfectionism in relation to their anxiety, this study constructs a mediating model with moderation, focusing on the investigation of the mediating role of self-compassion and the moderating role of family support. A total of 924 university students were involved in the investigation, responding to questionnaires on their maladaptive perfectionism, anxiety, self-compassion, and family support. The results showed that (1) after controlling for gender and Hukou, maladaptive perfectionism had a significant positive predictive effect on anxiety; (2) self-compassion can play a role in mediating the relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and anxiety; and (3) the mediating effect of self-compassion on anxiety in terms of maladaptive perfectionism was moderated by family support. The results of this study have important theoretical value and practical significance for improving first-year undergraduate students’ anxiety.

Keywords

• first-year undergraduate students
• maladaptive perfectionism
• anxiety
• mental health