RESEARCH PAPER
The role of perfectionism, procrastination, and self-discipline in depression
1
Institute of Psychology, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
2
Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
3
Division of Social Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hongkong
4
Department of Counselling and Psychology, Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Hong Kong
Submission date: 2022-02-01
Final revision date: 2024-10-18
Acceptance date: 2025-02-27
Online publication date: 2025-06-04
Corresponding author
Aneta Przepiórka
Institute of Psychology, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
Institute of Psychology, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
KEYWORDS
depressionadaptive and maladaptive perfectionismgeneral and decisional procrastinationself-discipline
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Background:
The aim of the study was threefold: first, to test the associations between perfectionism (adaptive and maladaptive), procrastination (general and decisional), and depression; second, to examine the mediating role of self-discipline between perfectionism and procrastination; and third, to examine gender differences.
Participants and procedure:
The participants in the study were 347 individuals aged 16 to 48 (M = 22.77, SD = 6.14). The following measures were used: the General Procrastination Scale, the Decisional Procrastination Scale, the Brief Self-Control Scale, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and the Polish Adaptive and Maladaptive Perfectionism Questionnaire.
Results:
As a result, maladaptive perfectionism positively contributed to depression, whereas adaptive perfectionism contributed to it negatively. In both the female and male groups, self-discipline was a mediator between maladaptive perfectionism and general and decisional procrastination. Only in the female group was self-discipline a mediator between adaptive perfectionism and general and decisional procrastination. Decisional procrastination mediated the link between perfectionism (adaptive and maladaptive) and depression only in the male group. Likewise, the relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and depression was mediated by self-discipline and decisional procrastination in the male group.
Conclusions:
As a result, maladaptive perfectionism positively contributed to depression, whereas adaptive perfectionism contributed to it negatively. In both the female and male groups, self-discipline was a mediator between maladaptive perfectionism and general and decisional procrastination. Only in the female group was self-discipline a mediator between adaptive perfectionism and general and decisional procrastination. Decisional procrastination mediated the link between perfectionism (adaptive and maladaptive) and depression only in the male group. Likewise, the relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and depression was mediated by self-discipline and decisional procrastination in the male group.
The aim of the study was threefold: first, to test the associations between perfectionism (adaptive and maladaptive), procrastination (general and decisional), and depression; second, to examine the mediating role of self-discipline between perfectionism and procrastination; and third, to examine gender differences.
Participants and procedure:
The participants in the study were 347 individuals aged 16 to 48 (M = 22.77, SD = 6.14). The following measures were used: the General Procrastination Scale, the Decisional Procrastination Scale, the Brief Self-Control Scale, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and the Polish Adaptive and Maladaptive Perfectionism Questionnaire.
Results:
As a result, maladaptive perfectionism positively contributed to depression, whereas adaptive perfectionism contributed to it negatively. In both the female and male groups, self-discipline was a mediator between maladaptive perfectionism and general and decisional procrastination. Only in the female group was self-discipline a mediator between adaptive perfectionism and general and decisional procrastination. Decisional procrastination mediated the link between perfectionism (adaptive and maladaptive) and depression only in the male group. Likewise, the relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and depression was mediated by self-discipline and decisional procrastination in the male group.
Conclusions:
As a result, maladaptive perfectionism positively contributed to depression, whereas adaptive perfectionism contributed to it negatively. In both the female and male groups, self-discipline was a mediator between maladaptive perfectionism and general and decisional procrastination. Only in the female group was self-discipline a mediator between adaptive perfectionism and general and decisional procrastination. Decisional procrastination mediated the link between perfectionism (adaptive and maladaptive) and depression only in the male group. Likewise, the relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and depression was mediated by self-discipline and decisional procrastination in the male group.
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