Perfectionism in an interpersonal context: A self-regulation analysis of dysphoria and social anxiety

This study examined perfectionism and standard-setting within a self-regulation framework and systematically compared the roles of both factors in dysphoria and social anxiety. Four groups of subjects representing all combinations of social anxiety and dysphoria completed measures of self-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism. They then rated three aspects of self-regulation (standard-setting, frequency of self-appraisal, and self-efficacy) in the context of a social task. Socially prescribed perfectionism was associated with frequent self-appraisal during the interaction, but not with standard-setting. Self-oriented perfectionism was associated with establishing goals that exceeded one's perceived social ability and with importance of meeting personal goals. The extent to which either type of perfectionism was associated with dysphoria or social anxiety was dependent on social self-efficacy.