Executive function moderates the association between fearful temperament and dimensions of perfectionism

Previous research has shown that perfectionism is a dimensional construct and that it may be predicted by factors such as temperament and executive function. However, no previous studies have connected these lines of research. The current study sought to test a path model examining the role of fearful temperament, the cognitive shift domain of executive function, and their interaction on separate dimensions of perfectionism (SOP-critical, SPP, and SOP-striving). Participants were 56 parent-child dyads recruited from the community. Children were 7-13 years (51.8% male; 83.6% Caucasian, 9.1% African American). Overall the model fit the data well. Results indicated that fearful temperament and cognitive shift did not individually predict for any dimension of perfectionism. However, the interaction of fearful temperament and cognitive shift did predict for scores of SOP-critical and SPP, such that those children with higher cognitive shift deficits had a stronger effect of fearful temperament on dimensions of perfectionism. The interaction did not predict for scores of SOP-striving. These results, consistent with previous research, suggest that SOP-critical and SPP may represent maladaptive aspects of perfectionism, while SOP-striving may represent adaptive aspects of perfectionism. Further, it appears that maladaptive and adaptive perfectionism dimensions have separate developmental precipitants.