Investigating the mediating role of psychological problems in the relationship between perfectionism and self-esteem in students

In every educational environment, low self-esteem is associated with numerous psychological disorders including anxiety, depression, and stress. The present study aims to investigate the mediating role of psychological problems in explaining the relationship between self-esteem and perfectionism in students. The present research was cross-sectional and its statistical population consisted of all bachelor, master's, and basic sciences students at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2019-2020. Sampling had a multi-stage random cluster method. The sample size was equal to 580. Data from 589 participants were collected according to the drop of probability sampling Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale- 21 Items (DASS-21), Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS) were used to collect data. Data analysis was performed using structural equation modeling (SEM). The regression coefficients related to the direct and indirect effects of positive perfectionism on self-esteem were 0.375 and -0.019 respectively which were statistically significant (p<0.05). Furthermore, regression coefficients of direct and indirect effects of negative perfectionism on self-esteem were -0.467 and -0.251 respectively which indicates a negative and significant relationship with self-esteem (p<0.05). The regression coefficient of the direct effect of psychological problems on self-esteem was -0.416 which specifies a negative and significant relationship between them (p<0.05). Given the research results and the mediating role of psychological problems in the relationship between perfectionism and self-esteem, planning to reduce psychological problems (anxiety, depression, and stress) could play a major role in improving self-esteem by decreasing negative perfectionism and increasing positive perfectionism.