We examined whether locus of control (LOC) moderates the apparent relationship between perfectionism and postpartum depression (PPD). It was predicted that external LOC would moderate the relationship between self-oriented perfectionism and PPD, and socially prescribed perfectionism and PPD. A sample of 243 women completed an online self-report questionnaire assessing perfectionism, LOC, and PPD. Self-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism were significantly associated with PPD. Increased personal loci of control (i.e., low external LOC and high internal LOC) moderated (strengthened) the relationship between perfectionism and PPD. LOC may be an important concept and one of the underlying factors at work in the perfectionism–PPD relationship. This outcome may be attributed to the self-directed nature of self-oriented perfectionists.

This project investigated the relationships between exercise motivation, athletic identity, exercise frequency and subjective well-being by drawing on concepts from Self-Determination Theory and athletic identity research. The conceptual framework underlying the research suggested that athletic identity would provide a link between exercise motivation and exercise frequency and subjective well-being. Four hundred participants completed exercise motivation, athletic identity, exercise frequency, and well-being measures. Both higher external and intrinsic exercise motivation were associated with a higher level o f total athletic identity and greater frequency o f exercise. Higher intrinsic exercise motivation was associated with more positive affect and life satisfaction and higher external exercise motivation was associated with more negative affect. Total athletic identity, self-referent athletic identity and social-referent athletic identity mediated the relationships between exercise motivation, exercise frequency and well-being. These results support conceptual links between exercise motivation, athletic identity and well-being and lay the foundation for future research.