Depression and perfectionism

Medical studies demand intense commitment from students often associated with a high level of perfectionism perceived as necessary for success. This is a cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study of 206 medical students who responded Participants completed two validated scales: the Beck Depression Inventory (short version) and the Réhaume Perfectionism Questionnaire.The mean age of participants was 21.49 ± 1.37 years with a sex ratio of 1.43. The majority were perfectionists and 29.6% suffered from moderate to severe depression. A highly significant correlation (p ≤ 0.001) was observed between perfectionism scores and: (1) negative consequences of perfectionism (2) depression and (3) negative consequences of perfectionism and depression. Perfectionist students exhibited more depressive symptoms increased stress greater self-criticism greater self-doubt as well as a lack of initiative compared to non-perfectionist students.