Abstract

This study aimed to clarify the effects of perfectionism on depression and anxiety based on the theoretical link between self-discrepancy theory and regulatory focus theory. A total of 95 undergraduate students participated in the study. Based on their scores on the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, participants were categorized into either a self-oriented perfectionism group or a socially prescribed perfectionism group. They were then randomly assigned to perform either a promotion-focused task or a prevention-focused task. Depression and anxiety were measured using a mood questionnaire before and after the task. A two-way ANOVA was conducted to examine the interaction effects of perfectionism type and regulatory focus on depression and anxiety. The results were as follows. First, there was a significant interaction effect of perfectionism and regulatory focus on depression. In the self-oriented perfectionism group, depression was significantly higher following the failure of a prevention-focused task(non-fit) compared to the failure of a promotion-focused task(fit). In contrast, In the socially prescribed perfectionism group, there was no significant difference in depression between the failure of a prevention-focused task(non-fit) and the failure of a promotion-focused task(fit). Second, there was a significant interaction effect of perfectionism and regulatory focus on anxiety. In the socially prescribed perfectionism, anxiety was significantly higher following the failure of a promotion-focused task(non-fit) compared to the failure of a prevention-focused task(fit). However, In the self-oriented perfectionism, there was no significant difference in anxiety between the failure of a promotion-focused task(non-fit) and the failure of a prevention-focused task(fit). These findings suggest differential vulnerabilities to depression and anxiety depending on the subtype of perfectionism. The study proposes that promotion-focused interventions may be effective in alleviating depression associated with self-oriented perfectionism, while prevention-focused interventions may be more suitable for addressing anxiety related to socially prescribed perfectionism.