Perfectionism and Interpersonal Problems

The multiple nature of perfectionism including intrapersonal, interpersonal, and social aspects requires one's high expectations of him or herself and others as well as others high expectations of oneself. In addition to psychological pathologies, interpersonal problems might be explained by these expectations. The relationship between dimensions of perfectionism and interpersonal problems was investigated in this research. Fifty students (36 girls, 14 boys) were participated in this study from Tehran University. They were asked to fill out the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS) and the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP). The results showed that dimensions of perfectionism significantly related to interpersonal problems: other-oriented perfectionism was associated with interpersonal problems of submissiveness, intimacy, and controlling; socially prescribed perfectionism was associated with interpersonal problems of sociability and responsibility; and self-oriented perfectionism was associated with interpersonal problems of responsibility. No significant difference was found between boys and girls in terms of perfectionism and interpersonal problems.