The relation between childhood obsessive–compulsive symptoms and perfectionism from a five-factor model personality perspective.

Accumulating research evidence suggests that perfectionism is a multidimensional personality characteristic with both adaptive and maladaptive dimensions. Despite the bulk of research on linking maladaptive perfectionism with obsessive–compulsive symptoms among adults, such research among children has been limited, as well as research on the adaptive part of perfectionism. Therefore, the present study examines in 193 adolescents (66.5% girls; 11–19 years old) the relation between child rated obsessive–compulsive symptoms and both adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism dimensions, measured from a traditional perspective (Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale; child rated), as well as a Five-Factor Model personality perspective (Hierarchical Personality Inventory for Children and Dimensional Personality Symptom Item Pool; mother rated). The results show that specific childhood obsessive–compulsive symptoms are more related to perfectionism compared to others. Further, obsessive–compulsive symptoms are related to perfectionism, especially the maladaptive dimensions. Implications for including (maladaptive) personality measures in the assessment of perfectionism and obsessive–compulsive symptoms will be discussed.