ASSESSMENT OF MINDFULNESS PRACTICES AS A MODERATOR BETWEEN PERFECTIONISM AND INTERPERSONAL CONFLICT

Abstract

This study evaluates the relationships between perfectionism, self-compassion, mindfulness, relational conflict, and relationship satisfaction. Ninety-two college students completed questionnaires assessing personal and relationship perfectionism as well as related constructs. Correlational analyses indicated that there are positive correlations between (1) mindfulness and interpersonal perfectionism, (2) self-compassion and interpersonal perfectionism, (3) relationship conflict and interpersonal perfectionism. Additionally, there was a negative correlation between relationship satisfaction and interpersonal perfectionism. Assessment of moderation indicated no moderating effects of mindfulness or self-compassion predicting relational conflict interaction and dominance from interpersonal perfectionism discrepancy. Mindfulness did moderate relationship conflict submission from interpersonal perfectionism-discrepancy. Implications of these findings are discussed in terms of the potential use of mindfulness practices and self-compassion activities as prevention for negative outcomes of interpersonal perfectionism.