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Perfectionistic Cognitions and Interleukin‐6: The Moderating Role of Child Maltreatment
Author(s) -
Molnar Danielle S.,
MacNeil Adam J.,
Moore Jessy,
Maguire Aindriu R. R.,
O’Leary Deborah D.,
Wade Terrance J.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.2020.34.s1.05455
Subject(s) - perfectionism (psychology) , psychology , clinical psychology , personality , cognition , developmental psychology , psychiatry , social psychology
Research is beginning to establish that perfectionism (i.e., the need to be absolutely perfect accompanied by harsh self‐criticism) contributes to poorer health and early mortality. Although few studies have addressed any personality/immune system links, there is growing evidence that personality can influence immune system functioning by altering cytokine production. Yet, to our knowledge, no study has examined the effect of perfectionism on immunological functioning. According to the Perfectionism Diathesis‐Stress Model, the deleterious effects of perfectionism on health should be further exacerbated by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) such as maltreatment. However, this contention has yet to be tested empirically. The aim of this multidisciplinary research was to test how perfectionism is related to inflammatory analytes and whether these associations were moderated by child maltreatment. This study included a sample of young adults from the Niagara Longitudinal Heart Study (NLHS). Blood samples were collected, and serum was used to analyze levels of various immune biomarkers including Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6). Participants completed a self‐reported questionnaire that included the Childhood Trust Events Survey to identify exposure to sexual, physical, and emotional abuse before 18 years of age. Positive responses were then summed to create a count from 0 to 3 types of exposure. The Perfectionistic Cognitions Inventory assessed perfectionism. Results from multiple regression using Andrew Haye’s Process in which log‐transformed IL‐6 was regressed on perfectionistic cognitions, child maltreatment, and the interaction between perfectionistic cognitions and child maltreatment indicated that the relationship between perfectionistic cognitions and IL‐6 was moderated by child maltreatment. Specifically, higher perfectionistic cognitions were related to higher levels of IL‐6 under conditions of higher maltreatment. In sum, findings indicate that perfectionistic cognitions are related to immune system functioning and specifically to higher levels of IL‐6 when participants have experienced high levels of child maltreatment. These results support the Perfectionism Diathesis‐Stress Model and may provide key insights into both early prevention and intervention efforts aimed at reducing the toll of perfectionism on health. Support or Funding Information The NLHS is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR #s 363774, 399332). DSM is supported by an Early Researcher Award (Ministry of Research and Innovation, Government of Ontario). ARRM is supported by the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) Program.