Do perfectionists show negative, repetitive thoughts facing uncertain situations?

Abstract

Perfectionism, intolerance of uncertainty and repetitive negative thinking are all psychological traits, which are treated as transdiagnostic phenomena for the development and the maintenance of psychopathology. The aim of the current work was to investigate the associations between repetitive negative thinking and the multidimensional aspects of perfectionism (perfectionistic strivings and perfectionistic concerns) and intolerance of uncertainty (prospective and inhibitory) in one model. Two studies were conducted in which participants (N1 = 227; N2 = 148) completed questionnaires in an online survey. The first study measured rumination and worry separately as repetitive negative thinking processes. The second study measured repetitive negative thinking as an underlying construct of rumination and worry using a single questionnaire. We applied hierarchical regression analyses and mediation analyses in both studies. The mediation analyses in both studies showed that inhibitory intolerance of uncertainty significantly partially mediated the relationship between perfectionistic concerns and repetitive negative thinking (as well as worry and rumination). Perfectionistic concerns seem to be the more crucial perfectionism aspect for transdiagnostic considerations, particularly in association with a heighten inhibitory intolerance of uncertainty and repetitive negative thinking. Both studies strongly affirm the necessity to use the multidimensional aspects of perfectionism and intolerance of uncertainty in psychological research.