The Mediating Role of Self-compassion in the Relationship between Perfectionism and Subjective Vitality

In the present study the mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between perfectionism and subjective vitality was investigated. To this end, 213 undergraduate students from Shiraz University were selected via multistage random cluster sampling method. The participants answered the Almost-Perfect-Scale-, Self-Compassion Scale and Subjective Vitality Scale. Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling through AMOS software. The results showed that among the components of perfectionism, the standard component – an indication of adaptive perfectionism – predicts subjective vitality directly and positively. However, the discrepancy component (difference between standards and performance) – an indicant of maladaptive perfectionism, negatively predicts subjective vitality through self-compassion. In conclusion, self-compassion plays a mediating role in the relationship between perfectionism and subjective vitality. This suggests that given a conflict between standards and performance, paying attention to selfcompassion and increasing it has important implications for students.