Self-Compassion as a Mediator Between Perfectionism and Personal Growth Initiative

Personal growth and positive change are areas of great interest in psychology. This study examined the mediating influence of self-compassion on the relationship between two types of perfectionism and personal growth initiative in a sample of Filipino adults (N = 351). Findings suggest that those high in conscientious perfectionism, considered as adaptive perfectionism, are more likely to have self-compassion; and through high levels of self-compassion, are more likely to develop personal growth initiative. On the other hand, those high in self-evaluative perfectionism, considered maladaptive, are far less likely to have self-compassion; and through lower levels of self-compassion, are less likely to develop personal growth initiative. Implications for theory and practice, as well as suggestions for further research, are discussed.