Relationship of perfectionism and hardiness to stress-related physiological responses

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of two personality constructs, perfectionism and hardiness, to physiological responses under a stressful situation. One hundred undergraduate students (51 males, 49 females) from the Faculty of Psychology and Education, University of Tehran were included in this study. All participants were asked to complete Farsi version of the Positive and Negative Perfectionism Scale (FPANPS) and Hardiness Scale (HS). They were then exposed to a psychological stress performing the Kohs Block Design Test. Autonomic nervous system responses were measured by continuous heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, skin conductance and respiratory rate determinations before and during the test. The Results indicated that negative perfectionism was positively correlated with physiological responses including systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, skin conductance, respiratory rate, and heart rate. Hardiness was negatively correlated with physiological responses of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and respiratory rate. Positive perfectionism also showed negative correlations with physiological responses, but none of them reached a statistically significant level. Negative perfectionism will increase physiological responses through imposing anxiety, worry, distress and negative affects on the person. Hardiness will influence physiological responses through self-confidence, safety, and calmness.