Associations Between Perfectionism and Generalized Anxiety: Examining Cognitive Schemas and Gender

In the current study, we extended previous research verifying significant associations between perfectionism dimensions and psychopathological outcomes. Specifically, we examined the links between perfectionism dimensions and generalized anxiety symptoms through both the context of threat and control schemas and gender. A sample of 262 university students (131 women and 131 men) completed a series of self-report questionnaires online. Univariate correlations indicated that socially prescribed perfectionism was the only dimension related to generalized anxiety symptoms. In addition, gender-specific findings emerged from the path analytic procedures implemented. Most notably, the stability in the direct effect between socially prescribed perfectionism and generalized anxiety symptoms varied by gender. For women, results revealed both significant direct and indirect effects with threat and control schemas partially mediating the socially prescribed perfectionism–anxiety symptoms link. Alternatively, the direct effect between socially prescribed perfectionism and generalized anxiety was not significant for men. These results support the position that perfectionism dimensions operate differently for women and men in the prediction of psychopathological outcomes. Gender-specific implications for mental health counselors are discussed.