The effect of perfectionism on relative deprivation among nursing students: The role of interpersonal sensitivity and resilience

This study investigated the relationship between perfectionism and relative deprivation among nursing students in China as well as the mediating role of interpersonal sensitivity and the moderating role of resilience in this relationship. A cross-sectional study design involved 682 nursing students participants from two universities in Henan Province, China, using questionnaires about demographics, perfectionism, relative deprivation, interpersonal sensitivity, and resilience. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation analysis and the PROCESS macro in regression analysis were used for data analysis. Adaptive perfectionism was not significantly correlated with relative deprivation, while maladaptive perfectionism was significantly positively correlated with interpersonal sensitivity, relative deprivation, and resilience. Interpersonal sensitivity mediated the relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and relative deprivation, accounting for 41.07% of the total effect. Moreover, the first half path and direct path of this process were moderated by resilience. These results show that targeted interventions to reduce maladaptive perfectionism, reduce interpersonal sensitivity and improve resilience of nursing students could help reduce their relative deprivation. The level of maladaptive perfectionism significantly positively predicted relative deprivation among nursing students.Interpersonal sensitivity is an important mechanism linking maladaptive perfectionism and relative deprivation. School administrators and teachers should diagnose and intervene in the interpersonal sensitivity of nursing students.The combination of reducing the level of maladaptive perfectionism and improving resilience is an effective method to reduce the relative deprivation of nursing students and promote their healthy development.

Automated summary

This study explored the relationship between perfectionism and relative deprivation among nursing students in China. It also examined the mediating role of interpersonal sensitivity and the moderating role of resilience. The results showed that maladaptive perfectionism was positively correlated with interpersonal sensitivity, relative deprivation, and resilience. Interpersonal sensitivity mediated the relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and relative deprivation, while resilience moderated the process. Targeted interventions to reduce maladaptive perfectionism, enhance resilience, and reduce interpersonal sensitivity could help reduce relative deprivation among nursing students.