The association of perfectionism dimensions with depression and anxiety symptoms: The mediating role of difficulties in emotion regulation

Depression and anxiety are the most prevalent mental disorders that cause a high burden for patient and the society. Identifying variables that affect depression and anxiety can be useful in managing and reducing symptom severity in these disorders. The present study was performed to examine the mediating role of difficulties in emotion regulation on the relationship between dimensions of perfectionism and depression/anxiety symptoms. Five hundred and twenty eight participants (274 females, 254 males) were asked to complete the Tehran Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (TMPS), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS), and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). 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. According to the results of the present study, it can be concluded that dimension of perfectionism and difficulties in emotion regulation can predict severity of depression and anxiety symptoms. It is also concluded that the relationship between perfectionism and depression/anxiety symptoms is not a simple one and difficulties in emotion regulation can play a mediating role in between. Considering these variables may be helpful in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of depression and anxiety symptoms as well as promoting mental health in general population.