Perfectionistic Self-presentation Research Articles

The Relationship between Perfectionistic Self-Presentation and Social Anxiety in College Students: The Mediating Effects of Emotional Clarity and Cognitive Flexibility

The Relationship between Perfectionistic Self-Presentation and Social Anxiety in College Students: The Mediating Effects of Emotional Clarity and Cognitive Flexibility

The relationship between the Dark Triad and academic burnout mediated by perfectionistic self-presentation

Individuals with dark personality traits are more prone to burnout, but this was not yet investigated in academia. Perfectionistic self-presentation (PSPS), an interpersonal expression of perfectionism, could be an explaining factor. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between the dark triad (Machiavellianism, vulnerable and grandiose narcissism, and psychopathy) and academic burnout, and whether the PSPS total score and its dimensions (perfectionistic self-promotion, nondisplay of imperfection, and nondisclosure of imperfection) mediates this. We expected that higher dark triad traits would be associated with higher academic burnout and that this would be explained by higher PSPS. Hypotheses included expectations for each PSPS dimension as well. Questionnaires were completed by 304 bachelor/master students (Mage = 22.81 years). Mediations were performed for each dark triad trait with total PSPS and each of its dimensions separately as mediator, and academic burnout as dependent variable. Total PSPS and almost all of its dimensions positively and significantly mediated the relation between Machiavellianism as well as psychopathy and academic burnout (small effect sizes). In contrast, only the PSPS dimension nondisplay of imperfection was a significant, positive mediator of the relation between grandiose narcissism and academic burnout (medium effect size). The other mediations with grandiose or vulnerable narcissism were non-significant. Future research should investigate this further, for instance by using the standard dark triad scales. Finally, this study offers insights for interventions and prevention of academic burnout by highlighting the unique impact of each dark triad trait. For example, those high on Machiavellianism may benefit from tools to deal with cynicism and perfectionism, ultimately lowering the risk for academic burnout.

대학생의 수치심 경험이 친밀감에 미치는 영향: 완벽주의적 자기제시 하위유형의 조절효과 중심으로

Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between shame experience and intimacy and to determine the moderating effect of Perfectionistic Self-Presentation subtype in the process. Methods To this end, data were collected from 206 university students in the Seoul metropolitan area using the Shame Experience Scale, Intimacy Scale, and Perfectionistic Self-Presentation Scale, and the data were analyzed using SPSS 23.0 and PROCESS macro for statistical analysis. Results First, the relationships between shame experience, intimacy, and Perfectionistic Self-Presentation subtypes were statistically significant. Second, the relationship between shame experience and intimacy was moderated by perfectionistic self-presentation subtype. Specifically, Perfectionistic Self-Presentation showed a significant moderating effect of shame and intimacy. On the other hand, the moderating effect of shame and intimacy was not significant in Perfectionist Self-Presentation, Nondisplay of Imperfection, and Nondisclosure of Imperfection. Conclusions These findings expand our understanding of shame experience by identifying the moderating effect of Perfectionistic self-presentation subtype on the relationship between shame experience and intimacy, and suggest that shame experience and Perfectionistic Self-Presentation subtype should be addressed as key psychological variables in practical interventions for clients who have difficulty establishing intimacy with the opposite sex.

Appearance investment and intimacy: direct and indirect effects in the context of romantic relationships

Physical appearance is highly valued in Western society and has the potential to impact many domains of personal life, including romantic relationships. This study examined the direct effect of appearance investment on intimacy and indirect effects through perfectionist self-presentation presentation and relationship mindfulness, utilizing a Structural Equation Model approach. Appearance schemas are cognitive generalizations about the importance of physical appearance within one’s self-concept and contribute to cognitive and behavioral investment in appearance. Concern for appearance influences how individuals interact with others and process the world around them, thus it has the potential to influence relationship health. However, no study to date has investigated how appearance investment relates to key components of relationship functioning, such as intimacy, nor the mechanisms for these relations. We collected self-report data from 220 adults who were in a current romantic relationship and living in the United States. Findings showed that higher concern for appearance is negatively associated with intimate behavior through the mechanism of presenting as perfect within the relationship. This study illustrates the importance of examining how appearance investment may impact intimacy within romantic relationships, as well as the factors that mediate this relationship, providing implications for future research and social and interventional implications.

Examination of Measures of Perfectionism for Structural and Measurement Invariance in an Italian and a Canadian Sample

Perfectionism measures developed in English-speaking populations have become frequently used in many non-English contexts, including in Italy. Establishing structural and measurement equivalence of instruments between Canadian and Italian samples is therefore important in establishing the validity of these concepts and instruments in Italian contexts, and to allow for direct cross-cultural comparisons. The current study investigated the measurement equivalence between a Canadian and an Italian sample for the commonly used measures of perfectionism constructs based on the Comprehensive Model of Perfectionistic Behavior. The Hewitt & Flett Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, the Perfectionistic Self-Presentation Scale, and the Perfectionism Cognitions Inventory were examined for configural, metric, and scalar invariance via equivalence testing of multigroup confirmatory factor analysis models. The results showed some evidence for configural and metric equivalence for the three measures, thus facilitating cross-cultural interpretation of pattern of associations. However, there was no consistent evidence for scalar invariance, thus suggesting that direct comparisons of perfectionism levels between the two contexts cannot be meaningfully interpreted. This highlights the need for research in both Canadian and Italian contexts to understand cross-cultural differences and similarities in perfectionism.

The Persian Version of the Perfectionistic Self-Presentation Scale: Psychometric Properties

Background: The Perfectionistic Self-Presentation Scale (PSPS) is a self-reported 27-item measure that assesses the interpersonal aspect of perfectionism. It indicates how individuals tend to present themselves as perfect to others. Objectives: The aim of this study was to translate and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Perfectionistic PSPS in an adult sample. Methods: The research sample included 332 adults aged 18 to 53 years old residing in Tehran who completed the PSPS scale. After the translation and back-translation process, the construct validity of the PSPS was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis as well as divergent and convergent validity. Internal consistency reliability was conducted to evaluate the reliability. Data analysis was performed using SPSS (version 22) software and LISREL (version 8.8). Results: The three-dimensional factor structure with all 27 items was confirmed based on the fit index results and their appropriate values. Internal consistency for the total score, perfectionistic self-promotion, non-display of imperfection, and non-disclosure of imperfection scales were 0.94, 0.90, 0.89, and 0.74, respectively. Conclusions: The present study showed that the Persian version of the PSPS had appropriate validity and reliability among the Iranian adult population.

Untangling the relationships between age, gender, type of sport, perfectionistic self-presentation and motivation on body satisfaction: a cross-sectional study on aesthetic and non-aesthetic female and male athletes aged 10 to 22 years

ObjectivesTo explore the relationships between age, gender, type of sport, perfectionistic self-presentation and motivation on body satisfaction among young athletes in one aesthetic sport (gymnastics) and one non-aesthetic sport (basketball)....

"The Effect of Perfectionistic Self-presentation on Emotional Eating Among College Students: The Sequential Effect of Social Comparison Orientation and Body Dissatisfaction"

"The Effect of Perfectionistic Self-presentation on Emotional Eating Among College Students: The Sequential Effect of Social Comparison Orientation and Body Dissatisfaction"

Picture Perfect

Abstract: Perfectionistic self-presentation (the desire to appear perfect to others) is related to decreased body satisfaction and intrusive (e.g., addictive or problematic) social media use in young women. Instagram, a highly visual social media platform, may serve as a medium for heightened body image concerns among this population. Exploring perfectionistic self-presentation on Instagram, by examining the extent to which women promote a perfect image on Instagram (perfectionistic self-promotion) and avoid presenting an imperfect image on Instagram (non-display of imperfection and non-disclosure of imperfection), may help to further understand its role in these issues. To test this idea, we recruited two non-clinical samples of young women (Sample 1: cross-sectional, N = 392; Sample 2: two-wave longitudinal, N = 176) to examine the relationships between perfectionistic self-presentation on Instagram, Instagram intrusion and body satisfaction. Findings revealed that dimensions of perfectionistic self-presentation on Instagram were negatively associated with body satisfaction, both cross-sectionally and over time and positively associated with Instagram intrusion, cross-sectionally. Non-display of imperfection appeared to be the most important dimension. Overall, our findings offer initial support for examining perfectionistic self-presentation on Instagram, and its utility in understanding the body satisfaction of young women.

중국인 유학생이 지각한 부모의 양육태도와 문화적응 스트레스의 관계

Purpose: This study investigated how the parenting attitude of parents perceived by Chinese students studying abroad, affects acculturation stress, and whether perfectionistic self-presentation and interpersonal presence have a mediating effect in these relationships. Method: Data were collected and analyzed through a survey targeting 266 Chinese international students in Korea. For data analysis, frequency analysis, difference analysis, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis were performed. Result: As a result of the analysis, the parenting attitude of Chinese students perceived by them had a significant impact on the acculturation stress, and perfectionistic self-presentation and mattening had a partial mediating effect in the inflyence relationship. was confirmed. Conclusions: These results confirmed that the parenting attitude of parents was an important psychological factor affecting the acculturation stress of international students.

The causal relationship between the perfectionistic self-presentation, proactive coping, and psychological needs of college athletes

The causal relationship between the perfectionistic self-presentation, proactive coping, and psychological needs of college athletes

Toward Person-Focused Assessment and Understanding the Human Need to Be Perfect: Commentary and Introduction to the Third Special Issue on Perfectionism

In the current introductory article, we discuss the importance of balancing the variable-centered research in the perfectionism field with a person-focused approach. We examine the utility of a person-centered approach in assessment, research, and theory and the need to revisit overlooked themes central to understanding people who are extreme perfectionists. Our analysis focuses on addressing the core unaddressed issue of why perfectionists as unique individuals absolutely need to be perfect. We describe measures to assess individual differences in this need to be perfect and themes reflecting the need to be perfect that require investigation. The papers in this third special issue on perfectionism are then introduced and considered as examples of the merits of a broad approach that goes beyond trait perfectionism to also include perfectionistic self-presentation and the cognitive experience of perfectionism. We conclude by examining how certain variable-centered studies described in the current special issue yield insights about perfectionists as people when individuals are considered from a person-focused perspective.

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.

The Relationship Between Perfectionistic Self-Presentation and Romantic Relationship Satisfaction: The Mediating Effect of Ambivalence over Emotional Expressiveness

The Relationship Between Perfectionistic Self-Presentation and Romantic Relationship Satisfaction: The Mediating Effect of Ambivalence over Emotional Expressiveness

Perfectionism, Self-Image Goals and Compassionate Goals in Health and Mental Health: A Longitudinal Analysis.

This research focuses on ego-focused self-image goals as central to understanding the vulnerability inherent in perfectionism and the link that perfectionism has with poorer health and emotional well-being. The present study expands theory and research on perfectionism from a unique motivational perspective through a longitudinal investigation of perfectionism, the pursuit of self-image goals related to self-improvement, and mental and physical health among 187 university students. Our central finding was that trait and self-presentational perfectionism were associated longitudinally with self-image goals and poorer mental and physical health. Longitudinal analyses showed that perfectionistic self-presentation predicted subsequent self-image goals, controlling for initial self-image goals. Additionally, self-image goals were associated with worse mental and physical health and greater loneliness and social anxiety. Collectively, our results illustrate the benefits of assessing problematic personal goals in perfectionism and the need to revise existing motivational accounts by recognizing the important role ego-involved goals play in guiding much of what perfectionists do and how they act in their daily lives.

Investigation of the relationship between the perfectionistic self-presentation and interpersonal sensitivity

Bu araştırmada kendini mükemmeliyetçi gösterme eğilimi ile kişilerarası duyarlılık arasındaki ilişki bazı değişkenlere göre incelenmiştir. Araştırma kapsamında çeşitli üniversitelerde 2021-2022 öğretim yılında öğrenim gören 154’ü kadın 146’sı erkek olmak üzere toplam 300 üniversite öğrencisinden Demografik Bilgiler Formu, Kendini Mükemmeliyetçi Gösterme Eğilimi Ölçeği ve Kişilerarası Duyarlılık Ölçeği aracılığı ile veri toplanmıştır. İlişkisel tarama modeli kullanılan bu çalışmanın verileri analiz edildiğinde kendini mükemmeliyetçi gösterme eğilimi ile kişilerarası duyarlılık arasında anlamlı bir ilişki bulunmuştur. Bunun yanı sıra kişilerarası duyarlılığın kendini mükemmeliyetçi gösterme eğilimini yordadığı da bulgular arasındadır. Diğer yandan kendini mükemmeliyetçi gösterme eğilimi ile kişilerarası duyarlılık arasındaki ilişkinin sosyoekonomik düzeye göre farklılaştığı tespit edilirken; cinsiyete, yaşa ve yerleşim yerine göre bir farklılaşmanın olmadığı saptanmıştır. Çalışmada ulaşılan bulgular güncel alanyazın ışığında tartışılmıştır ve ilgili araştırmacılar ile alan çalışanlarına önerilerde bulunulmuştur.

The Social Comparison Rumination Scale: Development, Psychometric Properties, and Associations With Perfectionism, Narcissism, Burnout, and Distress.

In the current article, we describe the development and validation of the Social Comparison Rumination Scale. This measured was developed as a supplement to existing social comparison measures and to enable us to determine its potential relevance to perfectionism and other personality constructs. The Social Comparison Rumination Scale (SCRS) is a six-item inventory assessing the extent to which an individual is cognitively preoccupied and thinking repetitively about social comparison outcomes and information. Three studies with five samples of university students are described. Psychometric analyses established the SCRS consists of one factor assessed with high internal consistency and the measure is reliable and valid. Analyses showed that elevated levels of social comparison rumination are associated with trait perfectionism, perfectionistic automatic thoughts, perfectionistic self-presentation, ruminative brooding, burnout, depression, and fear of negative evaluation. Links were also established between social comparison rumination and both narcissism and dispositional envy. Overall, our findings support the further use of the SCRS and highlight the tendency of many people to think in deleterious ways about social comparisons long after the actual comparisons have taken place. We discuss social comparison rumination within the context of concerns about excessive social media use and young people being exposed to seemingly perfect lives that became a vexing cognitive preoccupation.

Perfectionistic Self-Presentation and Psychopathology: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Decades of research implicate perfectionism as a risk factor for psychopathology. Most research has focused on trait perfectionism (i.e., needing to be perfect), but there is a growing focus on perfectionistic self-presentation (PSP) (i.e., the need to seem perfect). The current article reports the results of a meta-analysis of previous research on the facets of PSP and psychopathology outcomes (either clinical diagnoses of psychiatric disorders or symptoms of these disorders). A systematic literature search retrieved 30 relevant studies (37 samples; N = 15,072), resulting in 192 individual effect-size indexes that were analysed with random-effect meta-analysis. Findings support the notion of PSP as a transdiagnostic factor by showing that PSP facets are associated with various forms of psychopathology, especially social anxiety, depression, vulnerable narcissism and-to lesser extent-grandiose narcissism and anorexia nervosa. The results indicated that there both commonalities across the three PSP and some unique findings highlighting the need to distinguish among appearing perfect, avoiding seeming imperfect and avoiding disclosures of imperfections. Additional analyses yielded little evidence in the results across studies including undergraduates, community samples and clinical samples. Our discussion includes a focus on factors and processes that contribute to the association between PSP and psychopathology.

대학생의 완벽주의적 자기제시가 외로움에 미치는 영향

Objectives The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between perfectionistic self-presentation and loneliness of university students, and to explore moderating effect of self-concept clarity on the process. Methods To verify this, the survey was conducted on 388 university students through RUKS, PSPS-K, SCCS. Results The results of this study include the followings. First, perfectionistic self-presentation showed a positive correlation with loneliness. The self-concept clarity had negative correlation with perfectionistic self-pre-sentation, loneliness. Second, the negative effects of perfectionistic self-presentation on loneliness have been buffered by self-concept clarity. Third, under the condition where self-concept clarity is high, loneliness de-creases as ‘perfectionistic self promotion’ increase. And as the level of self-concept clarity increase, the influence of ‘nondisplay of imperfection’ and ‘nondisclosure of imperfection’ on loneliness lessened. Conclusions This study suggested that even if there is a perfectionistic self-presentation characteristic, if the self-concept is clear, it can not only be a protective factor against loneliness, but also an adaptive strategy of inter-personal relationships if the functional aspects of the perfectionistic self-presentation’s sub-factors are utilized. Furthermore, it suggests that even in everyday scenes, individuals can independently overcome interpersonal problems by clearly understanding themselves.

대학생의 완벽주의적 자기제시와 능동적 지연행동의 관계에서 실패내성의 매개효과

대학생의 완벽주의적 자기제시와 능동적 지연행동의 관계에서 실패내성의 매개효과