Self-critical perfectionism mediates the relationship between self-esteem and satisfaction with life in Lebanese university students

BACKGROUND: The psychological mechanisms that underlie the relationship between self-esteem and life satisfaction remain unclear and not well-understood. We sought through the present study to test the hypothesis that perfectionism plays a significant mediating role in the association between self-esteem and satisfaction with life among Lebanese university students. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in a sample of 363 students (61.7% females, mean age = 22.65 ± 3.48 years). Three research instruments were used: satisfaction with life scale, Rosenberg self-esteem scale and big three perfectionism scale. RESULTS: Higher self-esteem was significantly associated with lower self-critical perfectionism (Beta = − 0.47), whereas higher self-critical perfectionism was significantly associated with lower satisfaction in life (Beta = − 0.29). Finally, higher self-esteem was significantly and directly associated with higher satisfaction with life (Beta = 0.48). CONCLUSION: The present preliminary findings point to the role of self-critical perfectionism as a buffer between self-esteem and satisfaction with life, suggesting the roles of self-esteem and perfectionism as promising avenues for promoting satisfaction with life in adolescent students.