Perfectionisme en Suïcidaal gedrag tijdens de Adolescentie: De Mediërende Rol van Depressieve Symptomen

Abstract

According to the Integrated Motivational-Volitional (IMV) model, perfectionism is a risk factor for developing suicidal behavior during adolescence. However, less is known about the role of depressive symptoms in this relationship. Since suicide is one of the most important causes of death among Dutch adolescents, more research regarding this relationship is necessary. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between perfectionism and suicidal behavior in Dutch adolescents, and whether this relation was mediated by depressive symptoms. A distinction between self-oriented perfectionism and socially prescribed perfectionism has been made. Dutch adolescents (N = 1444) between 11 and 15 years old (M = 13.91, SD = 0.50), completed several questionnaires regarding perfectionism, suicidal behavior and depressive symptoms. Mediation analyses were performed using PROCESS. Results showed a positive significant relationship between perfectionism and suicidal behavior, self-oriented perfectionism and suicidal behavior, as well as between socially prescribed perfectionism and suicidal behavior. However, these relationships were only partially mediated by depressive symptoms. Together, these findings support the IMVmodel. High levels of perfectionism, both self-oriented perfectionism and socially prescribed perfectionism, is associated with an increased vulnerability to develop suicidal behavior during adolescence. Therefore, future prevention and intervention programs of suicidal behavior among adolescents should focus on the early identification of perfectionism.