APS
2026 APS Annual Convention · 2026
How Perfectionism Shapes Mental Health Problems: The Mediating Role of Growth- and Validation-Oriented Goals
- 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.