THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERFECTIONISM AND DEPRESSION IN TURKISH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Abstract

The relationship between perfectionism and depression was investigated using a sample of 598 high school students. Perfectionism and depression levels were measured using the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (Frost, Marten, Lahart, & Rosenblate, 1990) and the Beck Depression Inventory (Beck, Rush, Shaw, & Emery, 1979), respectively. To analyze data, regression and correlation analyses were employed. Depression levels of students with high scores on the subdimension of perfectionism were found to be significantly higher than depression levels of those who gained low scores. Depression levels of girls were found to be significantly higher than those of boys. A significant effect of subdimensions of perfectionism on depression was detected and all subdimensions of perfectionism were found to be significantly correlated to depression.