Perfectionism and generalized anxiety disorder: Investigating the mediating effect of emotion dysregulation
The present study examined the associations among perfectionism, emotion dysregulation, and GAD. Eighty participants completed self report questionnaires assessing perfectionistic tendencies, difficulties in emotion regulation, and symptoms of GAD. The purpose of this study was to examine emotion dysregulation as a potential mediator in the relationship between perfectionism and GAD. Results indicated that general emotion dysregulation statistically mediated the relationship between the socially prescribed dimension of perfectionism and GAD. In addition, specific difficulties in emotion regulation, including deficits in acceptance of emotions, emotional clarity, impulse control, and access to effective regulation strategies, fully mediated the association between socially prescribed perfectionism and GAD symptoms. Implications for treatment and future research directions are discussed.