<p>Core self-evaluation (CSE) refers to the fundamental appraisal one makes about their self-worth, capacities, capability and functioning in their environment. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between CSE and different types of emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, and stress. The study also aimed to understand whether cognitive processes of perfectionism and forgiveness mediate this relationship. Participants (<i>N</i> = 351) completed self-report questionnaires assessing CSE, perfectionism, forgiveness, and a measure of emotional distress. The results indicated that perfectionism mediated the relationships for depression and stress. It did not mediate the relationship to anxiety but did still provide a unique contribution to the model. Forgiveness did not directly contribute to depression, anxiety, or stress once CSE and perfectionism were accounted for. Model fit indices also indicated that CSE as a predictor on its own was as effective, if not more so, than the mediation models in predicting depression, anxiety, and stress. Overall, these results indicate that CSE may have its strongest influence on emotional distress through a generalization to emotional functioning, and secondarily, through its relationship to perfectionism. As such, targeting CSE in interventions is likely to be effective in reducing emotional distress.</p>