The Mediating Role of Difficulties in Emotion Regulation on the Relationship between Dimensions of Perfectionism and Depression and Anxiety Symptoms

The aim of present study was to examine the mediating role of difficulties in emotion regulation on the relationship between dimensions of perfectionism and depression/anxiety symptoms.

The present research was a correlational study with the path analysis model. A total of 528 students at the university of Tehran (274 females, 254 males) were selected by the randomized cluster sampling method. Participants completed the Tehran Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale.

The results indicated that the hypothesized model had a good fit with the observed data. Other-oriented perfectionism, socially-prescribed perfectionism, and difficulty in emotion regulation showed a significantly positive correlation with depression and anxiety symptoms. Path analysis indicated that the relation between dimension of perfectionism and depression/anxiety symptoms mediated by difficulties in emotion regulation. Considering these variables are important in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of depression and anxiety symptoms as well as in promoting mental health among general population.