How are Perfectionistic Strivings and Perfectionistic Concerns Differentially Associated with Emotion Regulation

Perfectionism includes perfectionistic strivings and perfectionistic concerns, and both dimensions lead to different emotion regulation. This review looks at how the two dimensions link with emotion regulation and why these differences happen. Past studies show that perfectionistic strivings usually connect with better emotion regulation strategies, like cognitive reappraisal and accepting bad feelings. But perfectionistic concerns link with negative emotions, rumination, expressive suppression and emotion-regulation problems. These differences can be explained by their motivation types. Perfectionistic strivings connect more to approach-oriented and autonomous motivation, while perfectionistic concerns connect to avoidance-oriented and controlled motivation. However, researchers still disagree on whether perfectionistic strivings can buffer perfectionistic concerns when both are very high. So, the link between perfectionism and emotion regulation is not just about single dimensions, but also depends on how they work together.