According to a recent study, the perfectionism among young people is on the rise along with their parents' expectations and criticisms. The research authors speculate that a society that is becoming more individualistic and competitive may be to blame. The study was carried out using data from the United Kingdom, United States and Canada, and published in the journal Psychological Bulletin. Check now for more information!
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Characteristics of a perfectionist and their limits
People who strive for perfection usually pay close attention to detail, are extremely organized and focused on completing tasks with as few mistakes as possible. These characteristics are considered normal and even healthy for everyone, as they have a positive impact on both personal and professional life.
However, some evidence suggests that this personality trait can lead to negative mental health outcomes such as anxiety and depression. This seems especially true when perfectionism is driven by others, known as socially prescribed perfectionism.
Studies on the Rise of Perfectionism
The psychological consequences are troubling, as perfectionism appears to be on the rise, according to study authors Thomas Curran and Andrew P. Hill. In a previous survey, researchers found that perfectionism among young adults in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom has increased over the past two decades.
Study methods and results
The researchers performed two meta-analyses using data from the US, UK and Canada. First, they launched a meta-analysis of 21 studies to test whether perfectionism is associated with parents' perceptions of stress and peer pressure.
The studies were carried out in the period from 1991 to 2020, with a total of 7,060 participants aged between 9 and 43 years. All studies included measures of perfectionism, parental expectations, and parental criticism.
Scholars combined responses from these surveys and found that perfectionism was positively associated with perceptions of parental expectations and criticisms of these young people.
Conclusions obtained
To explain why perfectionism and parental pressure are on the rise, the study authors point to a society marked by the formulation of neoliberal policies and free capitalism. Marketplace.
The researchers emphasize that parents should not be blamed for reacting with anxiety to a competitive world full of intense pressures. academics, rampant inequality and technological innovations like social media, which spread the message of how we should behave and ideals unrealistic.