Perfectionism Social Disconnection Model Research Articles

Assessing and Evaluating the Perfectionism Social Disconnection Model: Social Support, Loneliness, and Distress Among Undergraduate, Law, and Medical Students

The current research evaluates the Perfectionism Social Disconnection Model (PSDM) by considering the links between measures of trait perfectionism and perfectionistic self-presentation and measures of social support, loneliness, and distress in cross-sectional research. A particular focus is on perfectionism and levels of social support as assessed by the Social Provisions Scale. The current study also uniquely evaluates levels of perfectionism and perfectionistic self-presentation in undergraduate students, medical students, and law students. The results across samples provided evidence that loneliness mediates the link between interpersonal perfectionism and distress in keeping with the predictions of the PSDM. Correlational results found robust links between loneliness and low levels of social support. Moreover, socially prescribed perfectionism and perfectionistic self-presentation were associated negatively with social support, and this was especially evident in terms of the facet tapping the nondisclosure of imperfections. Group comparisons of perfectionism yielded few significant differences in accordance with expectations. Levels of perfectionism tended to be lower among medical students. However, the links between perfectionism and distress were clearly evident among undergraduates, medical students, and law students, thus attesting to the vulnerability of perfectionistic students in general. Overall, the results further confirm the relevance of perfectionism in distress among students and applicability of the PSDM in various types of students.

Perfectionism, Feelings of Not Mattering, and Suicide Ideation: An Integrated Test of the Perfectionism Social Disconnection Model and the Existential Model of Perfectionism

The Perfectionism Social Disconnection Model (PSDM) and the Existential Model of Perfectionism and Depressive Symptoms (EMPDS) are promising models of perfectionism and psychopathology. However, research examining suicide ideation within the PSDM is scarce, and no research has examined suicide ideation as an outcome in the EMPDS. Moreover, tests of the PSDM and EMPDS have been conducted separately and most research has examined the PSDM and EMPDS using cross-sectional or two-wave longitudinal designs, which do not provide a satisfactory test of mediation. In the current study, we addressed these limitations by testing whether perfectionism confers vulnerability to suicide ideation via feelings of mattering and anti-mattering (from the PSDM) and via difficulty accepting the past (from the EMPDS) in a three-wave longitudinal design in two independent samples of undergraduate students and community adults. Participants completed measures on three occasions over 6 weeks. Findings revealed that socially prescribed perfectionism indirectly predicted suicide ideation via difficulty accepting the past in both samples. In addition, in the undergraduate sample only, socially prescribed perfectionism indirectly predicted higher suicide ideation via anti-mattering, and self-oriented perfectionism indirectly predicted higher suicide ideation via mattering. Based on our findings, we advocate for future research to include suicide ideation in the PSDM and EMPDS, to integrate explanatory models, and to examine a mattering-specific EMPDS.

Going it alone: Examining interpersonal sensitivity and hostility as mediators of the link between perfectionism and social disconnection.

Perfectionism is linked to a variety of mental health conditions in university students. The Perfectionism Social Disconnection Model posits that perfectionistic individuals exhibit off-putting interpersonal behaviors (i.e., rejection sensitivity and hostility), which lead to social disconnection, and in turn contribute to psychological distress. Although several longitudinal studies have found that social disconnection mediates the link between perfectionistic traits and psychological distress, less is known about how perfectionism leads to social disconnection. The present study aimed to address this gap. A sample of 877 university students completed one survey a month for three consecutive months. Our random-intercept cross-lagged panel model results showed significant positive associations between the random intercepts of socially prescribed and self-oriented perfectionism with rejection sensitivity, hostility, and loneliness, with stronger associations for socially prescribed perfectionism. In addition, the random intercept of other-oriented perfectionism showed positive associations with hostility but not rejection sensitivity or loneliness. Moreover, almost all cross-lagged paths were nonsignificant. Collectively, these findings indicate that although perfectionistic traits may be associated with rejection sensitivity and hostility to varying degrees at the between-person level, these behaviors may not cause social disconnection at the within-person level.

A mixed methods study of an online intervention to reduce perfectionism

Perfectionism is linked to a variety of mental health conditions in university students. Guided by the Perfectionism Social Disconnection Model, the purpose of the current mixed methods feasibility study was to evaluate the acceptability and potential effectiveness of a brief online intervention designed to reduce the negative consequences of perfectionism in university students. Seventy university students (83.9% female; Mage = 19) reporting moderate to extreme levels of perfectionism completed the two hour ‘Intentional Imperfection Program’ (IIP). The IIP includes techniques to increase mindfulness, compassion for self and others, distress tolerance, and social skills. Participants completed self-report measures at baseline and at a two-week follow-up. Quantitative data showed statistically significant small to moderate reductions in self-oriented perfectionism (d = −0.48, p < .001), socially-prescribed perfectionism (d = 0.40, p < .001), hostility (r = 0.53, p < .001), rejection sensitivity (d = 0.37, p < .001), depression (r = −0.47, p < .001), and anxiety (r = −0.33, p = .010) and a small increase in perceived social support (r = −0.29, p = .023). Thematic analyses of qualitative data indicated that participants found the IIP feasible, enjoyable, and useful. A brief online intervention may be a feasible way of reducing the negative consequences of perfectionism among university students. A randomised control trial is warranted to further evaluate the efficacy of the IIP. This research was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (no. ACTRN12620000574943).

Perfectionism, mattering, depressive symptoms, and suicide ideation in students: A test of the Perfectionism Social Disconnection Model

The Perfectionism Social Disconnection Model (PSDM) is a theory-driven model of the relationship between perfectionism, depressive symptoms, and suicide ideation. However, to date, tests of the PSDM have not included anti-mattering (i.e., feelings of not mattering alongside feelings of insignificance and marginalization) as a mediator or suicide ideation as an outcome. Critically, too, most research on the PSDM has relied on cross-sectional or two-wave longitudinal designs. Our study, then, examines whether perfectionism confers vulnerability to depressive symptoms and suicide ideation via mattering and anti-mattering in a three-wave longitudinal design. A sample of 181 undergraduates completed study measures on three occasions over six weeks. Findings provide strong support for the notion that socially prescribed perfectionism confers vulnerability to depressive symptoms via anti-mattering. Our findings suggest a need for future research on anti-mattering and suicide ideation, especially within the context of the PSDM and using longitudinal designs.

Examining the Link Between Multidimensional Perfectionism and Depression: A Longitudinal Study of the Intervening Effects of Social Disconnection

Introduction: The Perfectionism Social Disconnection Model (PSDM) posits that perfectionism confers risk for depression by promoting social disconnection. However, the specific indirect effect of social disconnection on the prospective relation of perfectionism dimensions with depression severity is not well understood. The aim of the current study was to provide the first comprehensive examination of the PSDM. Methods: A diverse community sample of 447 completed measures of trait perfectionism, perfectionistic self-presentation styles, and depressive symptoms at baseline. Six months later, participants completed measures of perfectionistic self-presentation styles, social disconnection, and depressive symptoms. Indirect effects models were analyzed to examine the impact of each facet of perfectionism on social disconnection and subsequent depression severity. Results: Consistent with the PSDM, all perfectionism traits and self-presentation styles resulted in greater depression severity via one or more facets of social disconnection, with social hopelessness and loneliness demonstrating the most widespread effects. Furthermore, perfectionistic self-presentation styles and social disconnection demonstrated sequential indirect effects on the relation of self-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism with depressive symptoms at follow-up. Discussion: This study is the first to demonstrate the depressogenic effects of all perfectionism dimensions. Findings delineate the interpersonal mechanisms underlying the perfectionism-depression link.

Perfectionistic Self-Presentation, Socially Prescribed Perfectionism, Self-Oriented Perfectionism, Interpersonal Hopelessness, and Suicidal Ideation in U.S. Adults: Reexamining the Social Disconnection Model

Objective Research has linked perfectionism to increased suicidal ideation (SI), although less is known regarding the mechanisms that explain this relation. The Perfectionism Social Disconnection Model (PSDM) posits that interpersonal aspects of perfectionism cause interpersonal problems (e.g., hostility, loneliness) which in turn increase a person’s risk for experiencing SI. The present study aimed to replicate and extend previous findings related to the PSDM and SI using measures of interpersonal hopeless and general hopelessness. Method Tenets of the PSDM were tested in a sample of 313 U.S. adults with a history of SI, by determining whether experiences of general hopelessness and interpersonal hopelessness explained the relation between three types of perfectionism: perfectionistic self-presentation (PSP), socially prescribed perfectionism (SPP), and self-oriented perfectionism (SOP). Results Results indicated that PSP, SPP, and SOP were positively associated with SI, general hopelessness, and interpersonal hopelessness.The relation between aspects of perfectionism and SI demonstrated an indirect effect through interpersonal hopelessness only. Conclusions These results lend support to the PSDM’s assertion that interpersonal problems aid in explaining the relation between perfectionism and SI. The current study was limited by the cross-sectional nature of the study as well as the homogenous sample. Implications for research and clinical work are discussed. HIGHLIGHTS Aspects of perfectionism are related to suicidal ideation Aspects of perfectionism are related to interpersonal hopelessness Interpersonal hopelessness explains why perfectionism and suicidal ideation are related

"Perfect Leader, Perfect Leadership?" Linking Leaders' Perfectionism to Monitoring, Transformational, and Servant Leadership Behavior.

Despite the growing interest in perfectionism and its many facets, there is a lack of research on this phenomenon in the context of leadership. Attending to this deficit, the present study is the first to investigate the relationship between the three facets of perfectionism (self-oriented, socially prescribed, and other-oriented perfectionism) and three types of self-rated leadership behavior. In Study 1 (N = 182), leaders’ perfectionism and its association to their organizational, goal-oriented leadership behavior—self-rated as transactional (management by exception) and transformational leadership—is explored. In Study 2 (N = 185), the relationship of leaders’ perfectionism to their servant leadership as a people-centered leadership behavior is investigated. In line with the perfectionism social disconnection model (PSDM), we assume other-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism to be positively related to management by exception (i.e., monitoring behavior) and negatively related to transformational and servant leadership, whereas the opposite pattern is primarily predicted for self-oriented perfectionism. Our findings in Study 1 reveal a negative relationship between leaders’ self-oriented perfectionism as well as positive relationships to their other-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism in management by exception, while no substantial correlations with transformational leadership have emerged. In Study 2, a negative association between other-oriented perfectionism and the forgiveness dimension of servant leadership is revealed, indicating a possible barrier to building interpersonal relationships of acceptance and trust. Additionally, self-oriented perfectionism has been proven to be a rather favorable trait in servant leadership.

Parent autonomy support as moderator: Testing the expanded perfectionism social disconnection model

Perfectionism is a bidimensional trait that has been linked to anxiety. While the positive relationship between evaluative concerns perfectionism (ECP)11ECP = Evaluative Concerns Perfectionism. and anxiety has consistently been demonstrated in the literature, a debate still exists on whether personal standards perfectionism (PSP)22PSP = Personal Standards Perfectionism. is positively or negatively related to clinical constructs. This inconsistency in evidence highlights a need to test for factors that moderate this relationship. Using the expanded perfectionism social disconnection model (PSDM)33PSDM = Perfectionism Social Disconnection Model. as framework, parent autonomy support was examined as a moderator to the relationship between PSP and anxiety. Using longitudinal data from a sample of Filipino university students (N = 312), it was found that parent autonomy support interacted with PSP to predict anxiety even after controlling for the effects of sex, age, depression, stress, ECP, and anxiety at baseline. Longitudinal evidence for the perfectionism stress mediation model was found for ECP, but the mediating effect of stress between ECP and anxiety only became significant when the effects of the covariates were not accounted for. Given the prevalence of mental health problems among the youth, implications of the findings are discussed.

Perfectionism and interpersonal problems revisited

In 1997, Hill and colleagues published a seminal study investigating the interpersonal quality of self-oriented, other-oriented, and socially prescribed perfectionism using the interpersonal circumplex as a framework. Findings indicated the three forms of perfectionism showed different relationships with both interpersonal traits and interpersonal problems, but also suggested that these relationships were gender-specific. Revisiting Hill et al.'s findings, the present study reexamined how the three forms of perfectionism related to interpersonal traits and problems, and tested whether the relationships also showed reliable gender differences, in a sample of 391 Prolific workers (195 men, 196 women; mean age = 37.1 years). Circumplex analyses confirmed the three forms of perfectionism showed different relationships with interpersonal traits and problems. However, the relationships with interpersonal traits were stronger and more differentiated than those with interpersonal problems, and only socially prescribed perfectionism showed elevated levels of interpersonal distress. Whereas only few reliable gender differences were observed, self-oriented perfectionism had a distinctive interpersonal quality (assured–dominant) in men, but not in women. Results are discussed in relation to theory and research on perfectionism and personality, the expanded perfectionism social disconnection model, and conceptions of other-oriented perfectionism as a “dark” form of perfectionism.

The perniciousness of perfectionism in group therapy for depression: A test of the perfectionism social disconnection model.

Half a century of theoretical accounts, case histories, and evidence implies perfectionism limits the success of psychotherapy and makes it hard for people to participate in and benefit from close relationships. Likewise, intimate relationships are crucial determinants of the success of treatment. However, the extent to which specific types of relationships explain why perfectionism leads to a poorer treatment outcome is unclear. We addressed this by, first, testing whether the perfectionism traits of self-oriented, other-oriented, and socially prescribed perfectionism hindered symptom reduction in group psychotherapy for depression and, second, assessing the mediating role of romantic love, friendships, and familial love on the effects of perfectionism traits on change in depression. Psychiatric patients (N = 156) enrolled in short-term postdischarge group cognitive-behavioral therapy for residual depression completed measures of perfectionism at pretreatment; of romantic love, friendships, and familial love at posttreatment; and of depression at pre- and posttreatment. Multilevel modeling showed that other-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism were associated with lower posttreatment reductions in depression over treatment, and path analysis revealed that self-oriented, other-oriented, and socially prescribed perfectionism indirectly predicted lower posttreatment reductions in depression through a perceived lack of quality friendships. Results lend credence and coherence to the perfectionism social disconnection model in a clinical context and underscore the importance of taking extratherapeutic social disconnection into account when treating perfectionistic patients. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Why does perfectionism confer risk for depressive symptoms? A meta-analytic test of the mediating role of stress and social disconnection

The stress generation model posits perfectionistic concerns and perfectionistic strivings generate stress and, in turn, depression. Alternatively, the Perfectionism Social Disconnection Model (PSDM) maintains perfectionistic concerns and perfectionistic strivings confer risk for depression through social disconnection. However, inconsistent findings, underpowered studies, and overreliance on cross-sectional designs have obscured understanding of the mediating role of stress and social disconnection in the perfectionism–depression link. We addressed this by conducting the first meta-analytic test of the stress generation model and PSDM. Our search yielded 18 longitudinal studies (N = 5,568) involving community adults, undergraduates, medical students, and psychiatric patients. Results revealed perfectionistic concerns predicted increased depression through social disconnection and stress, whereas perfectionistic strivings predicted increased depression through social disconnection, but not stress.

Supplemental Material for The Perniciousness of Perfectionism in Group Therapy for Depression: A Test of the Perfectionism Social Disconnection Model

Supplemental Material for The Perniciousness of Perfectionism in Group Therapy for Depression: A Test of the Perfectionism Social Disconnection Model

Adverse parenting and perfectionism: A test of the mediating effects of attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance, and perceived defectiveness

The developmental model of perfectionism in the Perfectionism Social Disconnection Model (PSDM) posits that perfectionism may arise from insecure attachment (i.e., attachment anxiety and avoidance) and perceived defectiveness rooted in asynchronous or adverse parent-child relationships. To provide a test of the developmental portion of the PSDM, we examined the mediating effects of attachment anxiety and avoidance as well as perceived defectiveness on the associations between adverse parenting and trait and self-presentational components of perfectionism among 344 undergraduate students (79.9% female, Mage = 20.29). Congruent with the PSDM, we found significant positive correlations between adverse parenting, attachment anxiety and avoidance, perceived defectiveness, and various components of perfectionism. Adverse parenting had an indirect effect on trait and self-presentational perfectionism via attachment insecurities and perceived defectiveness. Results also suggest that adverse parenting may be associated with different constellations of attachment insecurities and perceived defectiveness that underlie different components of perfectionism. Together, this study provides additional support for the developmental model of perfectionism outlined in the PSDM by linking perfectionism with adverse parenting, attachment insecurities, and perceived defectiveness.

The Preteen Perfectionist: An Evaluation of the Perfectionism Social Disconnection Model.

This research investigated associations between socially prescribed and self-orientated perfectionism, and the social functioning of 510 preteens (Mage = 11.2). The study focused on predictions from the Perfectionism Social Disconnection Model (PSDM) by determining whether rejection sensitivity and social isolation, in that sequence, mediated the associations between both perfectionism types and mental health outcomes. Employing both survey and experimental methods, findings indicated that both types of perfectionism in preadolescence were associated with increased interpersonal difficulty, rejection sensitivity and feelings of social isolation, as well as higher levels of eating disorder symptoms, depression, and anxiety. Results from serial mediation analyses found general support for the theoretical predictions of the PSDM for socially prescribed perfectionism, and extending upon previous research, for self-orientated perfectionism. The age of the sample suggests that both forms of perfectionism may be important targets in programs to prevent the development of mental health problems.

Perfectionism Moderates the Relationship between Thwarted Belongingness and Perceived Burdensomeness and Suicide Ideation in Adolescents.

According to the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide, suicide ideation is associated with thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness. According to the Perfectionism Social Disconnection Model, excessive perfectionism is also considered to be a risk factor for depression and suicide. In the present study, the role of perfectionism as a moderator in the association between interpersonal distress (i.e., perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, low connectedness to parents and friends) and suicide ideation was examined in a nonclinical sample of adolescents. One-hundred and three adolescents were assessed through self-report instruments. Perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness and disconnectedness to parents and friends were found to correlate with suicide ideation. As predicted, perfectionism was found to moderate the relation between these interpersonal distress variables and suicide ideation. Perfectionism augments the association between interpersonal distress and suicide ideation among adolescents. Interventions should consider that adolescents who face interpersonal challenges are particularly at risk if they tend to be highly perfectionist.

Why does socially prescribed perfectionism place people at risk for depression? A five-month, two-wave longitudinal study of the Perfectionism Social Disconnection Model

The Perfectionism Social Disconnection Model (PSDM) is a promising integrative model explaining relations between socially prescribed perfectionism (i.e., perceiving others require perfection) and depressive symptoms. Yet, the nature of the social disconnection proposed by the PSDM requires explication. Likewise, longitudinal tests of the PSDM are scarce. We addressed these important limitations by extending, testing, and supporting the PSDM in 127 undergraduates using a five-month, two-wave longitudinal design. Our model posited socially prescribed perfectionism generates depressive symptoms via two putative triggers: interpersonal discrepancies (i.e., viewing oneself as falling short of others' expectations) and social hopelessness (i.e., negative expectations concerning future interpersonal relationships). Congruent with the PSDM, bias-corrected bootstrapped tests of mediation revealed socially prescribed perfectionism conferred vulnerability for depressive symptoms five months later via interpersonal discrepancies and social hopelessness. Furthermore, results supported the specificity of our model beyond self-oriented perfectionism and other-oriented perfectionism. Findings lend credence and coherence to theoretical accounts suggesting socially prescribed perfectionism has a generative role in the development of psychosocial environments conducive to depressive symptoms. Moreover, our study offers investigators a conceptual framework for understanding the specific interpersonal mechanisms involved in the socially prescribed perfectionism-depressive symptom link.

Perfectionism erodes social self-esteem and generates depressive symptoms: Studying mother-daughter dyads using a daily diary design with longitudinal follow-up

The perfectionism social disconnection model (PSDM) asserts socially prescribed perfectionism confers risk for depression by eroding social self-esteem. However, self-oriented perfectionism and other-oriented perfectionism are neglected in extant tests of the PSDM. Moreover, the PSDM attributes the source of depression to dispositional characteristics without considering interpersonal contexts. We expanded and tested the PSDM in 218 mother-daughter dyads using a daily diary design with longitudinal follow-up. Daughters completed measures of self-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism (Wave 1), social self-esteem (Wave 2), and depression (Wave 1 and Wave 3). Mothers completed a measure of other-oriented perfectionism (Wave 1). Daughters’ socially prescribed and self-oriented perfectionism, and mothers’ other-oriented perfectionism, conferred vulnerability to daughters’ depression by lowering daughters’ social self-esteem.

Perfectionism, social disconnection, and interpersonal hostility: Not all perfectionists don't play nicely with others

The perfectionism social disconnection model (PSDM; Hewitt, Flett, Sherry, & Caelian, 2006) makes an important contribution to perfectionism research explaining why perfectionism is associated with social disconnection and interpersonal hostility. Moreover, recent expansions of the PSDM suggest that the model applies to all forms of perfectionism. The present research challenges this suggestion. Three university student samples (Ns=318, 417, and 398) completed measures of self-oriented, other-oriented, and socially prescribed perfectionism together with measures of trust, empathy, and hostility including aggression, anger, and spitefulness. In line with previous studies examining unique relationships of the three forms of perfectionism, only other-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism showed a consistent pattern of unique relationships indicative of social disconnection and hostility. In contrast, self-oriented perfectionism showed unique relationships indicative of social connection (and low hostility regarding physical aggression and spitefulness). The present findings indicate that the PSDM may not apply to all forms of perfectionism. Not all perfectionists feel socially disconnected and hostile towards others. Self-oriented perfectionists may feel socially connected and show no higher hostility than non-perfectionists, particularly when they are low in other-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism.

A Test of the Perfectionism Social Disconnection Model among Ethnic Minority Youth.

Perfectionistic self-presentation (PSP) has been identified as a vulnerability factor in the development of depressive disorders during early adolescence. The Perfectionism Social Disconnection Model (PSDM) offers a theoretical framework suggesting PSP leads to depressive symptoms via interpersonal problems and social disconnection. Previous studies have supported the role of social disconnection as a mediator in the relation between PSP and suicidal ideation, but have not evaluated interpersonal problems in the model. Furthermore, the generalizability of the model has not been established for community and ethnic minority samples. Using cross-sectional data, the present study addresses these gaps by evaluating the PSDM and including social anxiety and loneliness as indicators of interpersonal problems and social disconnection, respectively, as predictors of youth depressive symptoms. The sample includes 289 (51.2% females) predominately low income and Latino and African American youth in fifth through seventh grade in three public schools. As predicted, social anxiety mediates the relationship between both PSP and loneliness and PSP and depressive symptoms. Moreover, mediational analyses indicate that social anxiety accounts for the relation between PSP and depression. Consistent with the PSDM model, the relationship between PSP and youth depressive symptoms is mediated sequentially through both social anxiety and loneliness, but primarily among the Latino sample.