Does socially prescribed perfectionism predict daily conflict? A 14-day daily diary study of romantic couples using self- and partner-reports

People high in partner-specific socially prescribed perfectionism view their romantic partners as rigidly demanding perfection of them. Case histories and theoretical accounts identify conflictwith romantic partners as a recurrent, core interpersonal problem for people high in partner-specific socially prescribed perfectionism. Most research in this area uses mono-source, cross-sectional designs. The present study advances this research by studying perfectionism and conflict in 226 romantic couples using a 14-day daily diary design involving selfand partner-reports. As hypothesized, selfand partner-reports of partner-specific socially prescribedperfectionismcorrelatedmoderately. Results formenwere consistentwithhypotheses: Selfand partner-reports of partner-specific socially prescribed perfectionism predicted changes in selfand partner-reports of conflict, even after controlling for reassurance-seeking and previous day’s conflict. Contrary tohypotheses, reassurance-seekingwas abetter predictor of conflict forwomen. Results indicate men high in partner-specific socially prescribed perfectionism engage in self-defeating interpersonal behaviors. They are over concerned about—yet in daily conflict with—their partners. 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.