Perfectionism as a psychological phenomenon: A brief overview of modern concepts and research
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54359/ps.v19i109.2241Abstract
The article provides a brief overview of contemporary concepts and research on perfectionism. The dual nature of perfectionism, encompassing both adaptive and maladaptive characteristics, is reflected in the evolution of its conceptualization: from early unidimensional approaches that viewed perfectionism primarily as a symptom of psychopathology to multidimensional models that extend its understanding beyond personal standards alone. This conceptual shift has enabled empirical investigation of perfectionism through its manifestations across various domains of life and its role in everyday functioning. Accumulated empirical evidence creates the basis for moving beyond the mere distinction between adaptive and maladaptive forms of perfectionism toward an analysis of the mechanisms underlying their dynamic transformation into one another.
Downloads
References
Adler A. Ocherki po individual'noj psihologii. — Moscow: Kogito-Centr, 2002. (In Russian)
Affrunti N.W., Woodruff-Borden J. Perfectionism in pediatric anxiety and depressive disorders. Clin-ical Child and Family Psychology Review, 2014, No. 17(3), 299–317. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10567-014-0164-4
Andrade G., Pétrin-Pomerleau P., Gaudreau P. The basic psychological needs in excellencism and perfectionism: A dual perspective with the need-as-motives and the need-as-nutriments frameworks. Personality and Individual Differences, 2025, No. 245, 113286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2025/113286
Banville C., Massicotte V., Caplette-Gingras A., Langlois F., Gouin J.P., Flett G., Molnar D.S., Lemieux J., Savard J. A qualitative study of perfectionism among self-identified perfectionist women with nonmetastatic breast cancer. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Research and Practice, 2024, No. 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1097/OR9.0000000000000122
Bellam A., Curran T. Perfectionism and work performance: A meta-analysis. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 2025, No. 98(3), e70050. https://doi.org/10.1111/joop.70050
Callaghan T., Greene D., Shafran R., Lunn J., Egan S.J. The relationships between perfectionism and symptoms of depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 2024, No. 53(2), 121–132. https://doi.org/10.1080/16506073.2023.2277121
Çapan B.E. Relationship among perfectionism, academic procrastination and life satisfaction of uni-versity students. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2010, No. 5, 1665–1671. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2010.07.342
Chen C., Hewitt P.L., Flett G.L., Cassels T.G., Birch S., Blasberg J.S. Insecure attachment, perfec-tionistic self-presentation, and social disconnection in adolescents. Personality and Individual Differ-ences, 2012, No. 52(8), 936–941. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2012.02.009
Dobos B., Mellor D., Piko B.F. Exploring fear of happiness among university students: The role of perfectionism, academic burnout, loneliness, and hopelessness. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 2024, No. 65(3), 559–567. https://doi.org/10.1111/sjop.13001
Enikolopov S.N., Jasnaja V.A. Aprobacija shkal izmerenija perfekcionizma na rossijskoj vyborke. Psihologicheskaja diagnostika, 2009, No. 1, 101–120. (In Russian)
Fernández-García O., Gil-Llario M.D., Castro-Calvo J., Morell-Mengual V., Ballester-Arnal R., Estruch-García V. Academic perfectionism, psychological well-being, and suicidal ideation in college students. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2022, No. 20(1), 85. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010085
Flett G.L., Baricza C., Gupta A., Hewitt P.L., Endler N.S. Perfectionism, psychosocial impact and coping with irritable bowel disease: A study of patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Journal of Health Psychology, 2011, No. 16(4), 561–571. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105310383601
Flett G.L., Hewitt P.L. Perfectionism in childhood and adolescence: A developmental approach. — American Psychological Association: Washington, DC, USA, 2022.
Flett G.L., Hewitt P.L., De Rosa T. Dimensions of perfectionism, psychosocial adjustment, and social skills. Personality and Individual Differences, 1996, No. 20(2), 143–150. https://doi.org/10.1016/0191-8869(95)00170-0
Flett G.L., Molnar D.S., Nepon T., Hewitt P.L. A mediational model of perfectionistic automatic thoughts and psychosomatic symptoms: The roles of negative affect and daily hassles. Personality and Individual Differences, 2012, No. 52(5), 565–570. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2011.09.010
Frejd Z. Po tu storonu principa udovol'stvija: kriticheski-istoricheskoe issledovatel'skoe izdanie. — Izhevsk: Ergo, 2018. (In Russian)
Frost R.O., Marten P., Lahart C., Rosenblate R. The dimensions of perfectionism. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 1990, No. 14(5), 449–468. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01172967
Garanjan N.G. Tipologicheskij podhod k izucheniju perfekcionizma. Voprosy psihologii, 2009, No. 6, 52–60. (In Russian)
Gotwals J.K., Dunn J.G.H. A multi-method multi-analytic approach to establishing internal construct validity evidence: The Sport Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale 2. Measurement in Physical Edu-cation and Exercise Science, 2009, No. 13(2), 71–92. https://doi.org/10.1080/10913670902812663
Gracheva I.I. Adaptacija metodiki «Mnogomernaja shkala perfekcionizma» P. H'juitta i G. Fletta. Psi-hologicheskij zhurnal, 2006, No. 27(6), 73–81. (In Russian)
Hadian Hamedani K., Majzoobi M.R., Forstmeier S. The relationship between perfectionism and mar-ital outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 2024, No. 15, 1456902. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1456902
Hewitt P.L. Perfecting, belonging, and repairing: A dynamic-relational approach to perfectionism. Ca-nadian Psychology, 2020, No. 61(2), 101–110. https://doi.org/10.1037/cap0000209
Hewitt P.L., Flett G.L. Perfectionism in the self and social contexts: conceptualization, assessment, and association with psychopathology. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1991, No. 60(3), 456–470. https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.60.3.456
Hollender M.H. Perfectionism. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 1965, No. 6(2), 94–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0010-440x(65)80016-5
Holmogorova A.B., Rahmanina A.A. Trehfaktornaja shkala fizicheskogo perfekcionizma — novyj instrument diagnostiki patogennyh standartov vneshnosti v sovremennoj kul'ture. Konsul'tativnaja psihologija i psihoterapija, 2020, No. 28(4), 98–117. https://doi.org/10.17759/cpp.2020280406 (In Russian)
Horni K. Nevroz i lichnostnyj rost: bor'ba za samorealizaciju. — Sankt-Peterburg: Piter, 2022. (In Russian)
Jakushina A.A., Leonov S.V., Aslanova M.S. Proverka nadezhnosti i validnosti diagnosticheskoj modeli perfekcionizma v sporte. Vestnik Moskovskogo universiteta. Serija 14. Psihologija, 2021, No. 1, 241–264. https://doi.org/10.11621/vsp.2021.01.10 (In Russian)
Kamushadze T., Martskvishvili K., Mestvirishvili M., Odilavadze M. Does perfectionism lead to well-being? The role of flow and personality traits. European Journal of Psychology, 2021, No. 17(2), 43–57. https://doi.org/10.5964/ejop.1987
Kim H., Madigan D.J., Hill A.P. Multidimensional perfectionism and sport performance: A systemat-ic review and meta-analysis. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 2025, 1–34. https://doi.org/10.1080/1750984X.2025.2541342
Květon P., Jelínek M., Burešová I. The role of perfectionism in predicting athlete burnout, training distress, and sports performance: A short-term and long-term longitudinal perspective. Journal of Sports Sciences, 2021, No. 39(17), 1969–1979. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2021.1911415
Lafontaine M.F., Azzi S., Bell-Lee B., Dixon-Luinenburg T., Guérin-Marion C., Bureau J.F. Roman-tic perfectionism and perceived conflict mediate the link between insecure romantic attachment and intimate partner violence in undergraduate students. Journal of Family Violence, 2021, No. 36, 195–208. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-020-00130-y
Lafontaine M.F., Péloquin K., Levesque C., Azzi S., Daigle M.P., Brassard A. Beyond the simple association between romantic attachment insecurity and dyadic coping: An examination of romantic perfectionism as a mediator. Journal of Relationships Research, 2019, No. 10, e12. https://doi.org/10.1017/jrr.2019.6
Lee M.A., Schoppe-Sullivan S.J., Kamp Dush C.M. Parenting perfectionism and parental adjustment. Personality and Individual Differences, 2012, No. 52(3), 454–457. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2011.10.047
Levinson C.A., Rodebaugh T.L., Shumaker E.A., Menatti A.R., Weeks J.W., White E.K., Heim-berg R.G., Warren C.S., Blanco C., Schneier F., Liebowitz M.R. Perception matters for clinical per-fectionism and social anxiety. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 2015, No. 29, 61–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2014.11.002
Limburg K., Watson H.J., Hagger M.S., Egan S.J. The relationship between perfectionism and psy-chopathology: A meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 2017, No. 73(10), 1301–1326. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22435
Lin G.X., Szczygieł D., Blancard M.A. The interplay between parental perfectionism, emotional intel-ligence, and parental burnout. Personality and individual differences, 2025, No. 240, 113148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2025.113148
Liu C., Berzenski S.R. College Academic Perfectionism Scale: Development and Validation. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 2022, No. 40(1), 073428292110697. https://doi.org/10.1177/07342829211069799
Liu Q., Zhao X., Liu W. Are perfectionists always dissatisfied with life? An empirical study from the perspective of self-determination theory and perceived control. Behavioral Sciences (Basel), 2022, No. 12(11), 440. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs12110440
Matte M., Lafontaine M.F. Assessment of romantic perfectionism: Psychometric properties of the Romantic Relationship Perfectionism Scale. Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Devel-opment, 2012, No. 45(2), 113–132. https://doi.org/10.1177/0748175611429303
Monteagudo P., De Maria A., Roldan A., Cordellat-Marzal A., Pinazo-Hernandis S., Blasco-Lafarga C. Perfectionism and objective physical health in older adults: A mediational analysis of psy-chological distress. Health Psychology Report, 2025, No. 13(3), 259–270. https://doi.org/10.5114/hpr/205355
Pacht A.R. Reflections on perfectionism. American Psychologist, 1984, No. 39, 386–390. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.39.4.386
Rocha A.S. Perfectionism and the relationship with psychopathologies: Integrative study. Research, Society and Development, 2021, No. 10(2), e59410213033. https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v10i2.13033
Rodríguez-Franco A., Carlo G., Valdivia-Moral P., González-Hernández J. Be prosocial my friend: The social disconnection model of perfectionism in adolescents immersed in competitive sport. Inter-national Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2023, No. No. 20(4), 2887. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20042887
Sepiadou I. Academic achievement in university students: The role of perfectionism and academic hardiness. Europe’s Journal of Psychology, 2024, No. 20(4), 252–261. https://doi.org/10.5964/ejop.12755
Shafiq B., Ali A., Iqbal H. Perfectionism, mattering and loneliness in young adulthood of Generation-Z. Heliyon, 2024, No. 10(1), e23330. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23330
Shafran R., Cooper Z., Fairburn C.G. Clinical perfectionism: A cognitive-behavioural analysis. Be-haviour Research and Therapy, 2002, No. 40(7), 773–791. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0005-7967(01)00059-6
Shanmugasegaram S., Flett G.L., Madan M., Oh P., Marzolini S., Reitav J., Hewitt P.L., Stur-man E.D. Perfectionism, type D personality, and illness-related coping styles in cardiac rehabilitation patients. Journal of Health Psychology, 2014, No. 19(3), 417–426. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105312471571
Sharapova A.V. Perfekcionizm na rabochem meste: otkrytija i protivorechija jempiricheskih issledo-vanij [Jelektronnyj resurs]. Sovremennaja zarubezhnaja psihologija, 2025, No. 14(1), 122–130. https://doi.org/10.17759/ jmfp.2025140112 (In Russian)
Sherry S.B., Mackinnon S.P., Gautreau C.M. Perfectionists do not play nicely with others: Expand-ing the social disconnection model. // In: Perfectionism, health, and well-being. / Sirois F.M., Molnar D.S. (Eds.). — Springer, 2016. — pp. 225–243. https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.12333
Simon P.D., Salanga M.G.C., Aruta J.J.B.R. The distinct link of perfectionism with positive and neg-ative mental health outcomes. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2025, No. 16, 1492466. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1492466
Slade P.D., Owens R.G. A dual process model of perfectionism based on reinforcement theory. Be-havior Modification, No. 22(3), 372–390. https://doi.org/10.1177/01454455980223010. PMID: 9722475
Smith M.M., Saklofske D.H., Stoeber J., Sherry S.B. The Big Three Perfectionism Scale: A new measure of perfectionism. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 2016, No. 34, 670–687. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734282916651539
Stoeber J., Otto K. Positive conceptions of perfectionism: Approaches, evidence, challenges. Person-ality and Social Psychology Review, 2006, No. 10(4), 295–319. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327957pspr1004_2
Stoeber J., Smith M., Saklofske D.H., Sherry S.B. Perfectionism and interpersonal problems revisit-ed. Personality and Individual Differences, 2021, No. 169, 110106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2020.110106
Suh H., Gnilka P.B., Rice K.G. Perfectionism and well-being: A positive psychology frame-work. Personality and Individual Differences, 2017, No. 111, 25–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2017.01.041
Wan J., Zhou Z. The relationship between state-fear of missing out, loneliness, adaptive perfectionism and social media use in university students: A questionnaire and intervention study. BMC Psycholo-gy, 2025, No. 13, 761. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03090-4
Yang H., Stoeber J. The physical appearance perfectionism scale: Development and preliminary vali-dation. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 2012, No. 34(1), 69–83. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10862-011-9260-7
Yang H., Yang Y., Xu L., Wu Q., Xu J., Weng E., Wang K., Cai S. The relation of physical appear-ance perfectionism with body dissatisfaction among school student 9-18 years of age. Personality and Individual Differences, 2017, No. 116, 399–404. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2017.05.005
Yi S., Gentry M. Academic perfectionism of high-ability and high-achieving students in mathematics and science: Differential relations by identification criteria of giftedness. Roeper Review, 2021, No. 43(3), 173–186. https://doi.org/10.1080/02783193.2021.1923592
Zolotareva A.A. Razrabotka i validizacija shkaly professional'nogo perfekcionizma. Organizacionnaja psihologija, 2020, No. 10(4), 205–218. (In Russian)
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.