APS

2026 APS Annual Convention · 2026

How Perfectionism Shapes Mental Health Problems: The Mediating Role of Growth- and Validation-Oriented Goals

Barcelona, Spain · May 2026

Posters · Emotion & Motivation: What Drives the Self

  • Shao-Chun Chuang
    Academia Sinica
  • Yueh-Hsin Li
    Lotung Poh-Ai Hospital
  • Kung-Yu Hsu
    National Cheng-Chung University

Abstract

This study examined how goal orientations mediate links between self-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism and mental health difficulties. Among 552 adults, validation seeking increased distress, whereas growth seeking reduced it. Self-oriented perfectionism showed both effects, whereas socially prescribed perfectionism consistently heightened distress through increased validation seeking and reduced growth seeking.

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