Perfectionism and cognitive emotion regulation (CER) mechanisms have been associated with perceived stress/coping, negative affect (NA) and mental problems. Comparatively, the correlates of Positive Affect (PA) have been less studied.

To compare Perfectionism, CER and Perceived distress/coping by groups with different levels of NA/PA.

A total of 344 medical students (68.4% girls) completed the Hewitt & Flett and the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scales (H&F-MPS/F-MPS), the Profile of Mood States, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire.

The subjects with high NA, when compared to those with low NA, showed significant higher levels of Evaluative Concerns (EC), Positive Striving (PStr), of H&F-MPS/F-MPS total and dimensions scores (excluding Organization) of Rumination, Blaming others, Self-blaming, Catastrophizing and Perceived distress (all P < 0.01). They also revealed lower levels of Positive reevaluation and planning; Positive refocusing, Putting into perspective and Perceived coping (all P < 0.01). The subjects with high and medium levels of PA, when compared to the subjects with low PA, showed significant lower levels of Perceived distress, EC, Socially-Prescribed Perfectionism, Doubts about action, Concerns over Mistakes, (all P < 0.01), Self-Oriented Perfectionism, PStr (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, respectively) and higher levels of Perceived coping, Positive reevaluation and planning, Positive refocusing, Putting into perspective (all P < 0.01) and Acceptance (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, respectively).

NA is associated with perfectionism, high maladaptive and low adaptive CER, and also with high Perceived distress/low coping, which might increase the subject's vulnerability to psychopathology. Low perfectionism, high adaptive CER and perceived coping are associated with PA and might be protective factors.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.