Relationship Between Perfectionism And Self-Forgiveness: Mediating Role Of Self-Compassion Among Health Care Professionals
Ayesha Malik
Ayesha Saddique
Aleena Sajjad
Muqaddas Majeed
Maria Ashraf
Nabeela Raza
Saleha Bibi
Jawairia Zafar
Abstract
Health Care Professionals strive for perfectionism due to nature of their work, as minor mistakes can have serious complications in patient health and well-being. Literature review showed a gap in quantitative research on relation between subtypes of perfectionism, self-forgiveness and self-compassion, specially among health care professionals. The purpose of present study was to identify the relationship between self-compassion, perfectionism subtypes (self-oriented perfectionism and socially prescribed perfectionism) and self- forgiveness, and to investigate the mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between perfectionism and self-forgiveness among health care professionals. Sample (N = 600) health care professionals, out of which (N=300) were males and (N=300) were females, were selected through purposive sampling. Age range of participants was 23-40 years. Self- Compassion Scale (Raes et al., 2011), Heartland Self-Forgiveness scale (Thompson et al., 2005), and Multidimensional Perfectionism scale (Hewitt et al., 1991) were used. Result showed that self-compassion and self-forgiveness are negatively linked with both self- oriented perfectionism and socially prescribed perfectionism. Self-Compassion is positively linked with Self-Forgiveness. Females scored higher in self-forgiveness as compared to males. Self-compassion was greater in participants of age 35 to 40 years as compared to other groups. Furthermore, mediation analysis suggests 20.3% variance in self-forgiveness by self-compassion. Self-compassion and self-forgiveness can help health care professionals in professional grooming, dealing better with the clients and coping with the negative effects of perfectionism.