Is perfectionism related to pre‐existing and future insomnia? A prospective study

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the role of perfectionism to pre-existing and future insomnia. METHODS: Based on a random sample from the general population (N=3600), 1936 participants filled out a baseline and 1-year follow-up survey on perfectionism (concern over mistakes and personal standards), emotional distress and insomnia. RESULTS: The results from sequential logistic regression analyses showed that concern over mistakes was significantly related to pre-existing and future insomnia. When emotional distress was accounted for, none of the perfectionism subscales contributed significantly in explaining pre-existing and future insomnia. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that though perfectionism seems to be related to both pre-existing and future insomnia, its role seems relatively weak.