The role of emotional dysregulation in perfectionism and psychological distress.

Abstract

Data from a sample of university students (N ϭ 349) were used to test a model in which emotional dysregulation (a composite of emotional reactivity and splitting) was expected to account for the effect of perfectionism on general psychological distress. Significant positive effects were observed between maladaptive perfectionism and distress, whereas significant inverse effects were found for adaptive perfectionism. Structural equations analyses revealed support for a possibly mediational role of emotional dysregulation. Future research suggestions as well as counseling recommendations are proposed that target emotional regulatory features of the client with perfectionistic tendencies.

Perfectionism and Burnout in Canoe Polo and Kayak Slalom Athletes: The Mediating Influence of Validation and Growth-Seeking

“…Similar patterns of suppression have been noted in other research that has examined the mediating inluence of third-order variables on the relationship between dimensions of perfectionism and distress (e.g., Aldea & Rice, 2006;Scott 2007;Wu & Wei, 2008). Commenting on this issue, Aldea and Rice (2006) have noted that when examining the effects of correlated dimensions of perfectionism simultaneously, each may act to suppress the other in a manner that provides more puriied associations with other variables.…”

“…Commenting on this issue, Aldea and Rice (2006) have noted that when examining the effects of correlated dimensions of perfectionism simultaneously, each may act to suppress the other in a manner that provides more puriied associations with other variables. As self-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism are typically positively correlated, their relationship may render it dificult to draw irm conclusions about their consequences when both are included in the same structural model.…”

Perfectionism, Health, and Well-Being: Epilogue and Future Directions

“…Indeed, the potentially adaptive effects of Perfectionistic Strivings (or its components) often are only uncovered once the joint variance between Perfectionistic Strivings and Perfectionistic Concerns has been statistically accounted for in the analyses (see Hill, Huelsman, & Araujo, 2010;Stoeber, Kobori, & Brown, 2014a). Some researchers suggest that it is important to test multiple dimensions of perfectionism simultaneously so that researchers can statistically control for the joint variance among the dimensions of perfectionism so as to "purify" the dimension of interest (Aldea & Rice, 2006;Stoeber, Schneider, Hussain, & Matthews, 2014b). These suppression effects have been replicated numerous times suggesting that they are not simply a statistical artefact that can be brushed under the proverbial carpet.…”

Is Intrinsic Motivation Better Than Extrinsic Motivation?

“…Extreme perfectionism reduces a person's ability to cope and adjust to changes in life, think and make rational decisions, and to control and regulate their emotions (Aldea and Rice 2006). Perfectionism has even been listed as a predictor of suicidal tendencies (Grzegorek et al 2004) and anorexic symptoms (Tyrka et al 2002).…”