Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Perfectionism, Health, and Well-Being: Epilogue and Future Directions

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Perfectionism, Health, and Well-Being

Abstract

The contributions in this volume attest to the relevance of studying individual differences in perfectionism in relation to health and well-being. It is evident that the field has moved beyond simply examining whether perfectionism is associated with health and well-being or not to testing conceptual models that may help further our understanding of when, how, and why perfectionism may be implicated in health and well-being. In this final chapter, we discuss four key themes emerging from these works that we believe merit greater consideration because they have the potential to provide a platform for future research for the next generation of scholars in the field. Specifically, we discuss (1) issues in the conceptualization and measurement of perfectionism, (2) the pervasiveness of perfectionism, (3) the adaptive versus maladaptive perfectionism debate, and (4) issues in measuring health and well-being in relation to perfectionism. These themes afford us new insights into links among perfectionism, health, and well-being that can guide scholars to new and exciting questions to further propel the field forward. We conclude by offering several directions for future research.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Adkins, K. K., & Parker, W. (1996). Perfectionism and suicidal preoccupation. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 64, 529–543.

    Google Scholar 

  • Adler, A. (1956). The neurotic disposition. In H. L. Ansbacher & R. R. Ansbacher (Eds.), The individual psychology of Alfred Adler (pp. 239–262). New York: Harper.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aldea, M. A., & Rice, K. G. (2006). The role of emotional dysregulation in perfectionism and psychological distress. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 53(4), 498–510.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, B. J., & Wolpert, H. A. (2004). A developmental perspective on the challenges of diabetes education and care during the young adult period. Patient Education and Counseling, 53, 347–352.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Burgess, A., & DiBartolo, P. M. (in press). Anxiety and perfectionism: Relationships, mechanisms, and conditions. In F. M. Sirois & D. S. Molnar (Eds.), Perfectionism, health, and well-being (pp. TBA). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burns, D. D. (1980). The perfectionist’s script for self-defeat. Psychology Today, 14, 34–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Busseri, M., Sadava, S. W., & DeCourville, N. (2007). A hybrid model for research on subjective well-being: Examining common and component-specific sources of variance in life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect. Social Indicators Research, 83, 413–445.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chan, D. W. (2009). Dimensionality and typology of perfectionism: The use of the Frost mutidimensional perfectionism scale with Chinese gifted students in Hong Kong. Gifted Child Quarterly, 53, 174–187. doi:10.1177/0016986209334963.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DiBartolo, P., Li, C., & Frost, R. O. (2008). How do the dimensions of perfectionism relate to mental health? Cognitive Therapy and Research, 32, 401–417. doi:10.1007/s10608-007-9157-7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dunkley, D. M., Zuroff, D. C., & Blankstein, K. R. (2003). Self-critical perfectionism and daily affect: Dispositional and situational influences on stress and coping. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84, 234–252.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dunkley, D. M., Blankstein, K. R., Masheb, R. M., & Grilo, C. M. (2006). Personal standards and evaluative concerns dimensions of “clinical” perfectionism: A reply to Shafran et al. (2002, 2003) and Hewitt et al. (2003). Behaviour Research and Therapy, 44, 63–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunkley, D. M., Solomon-Krakus, S., & Moroz, M. (in press). Personal standards and self-critical perfectionism and distress: Stress, coping, and perceived social support as mediators and moderators. In F. M. Sirois & D. S. Molnar (Eds.), Perfectionism, health, and well-being (pp. TBA). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, A. (2002). The role of irrational beliefs in perfectionism. In G. L. Flett & P. L. Hewitt (Eds.), Perfectionism: Theory, research, and treatment (pp. 217–229). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Enns, M. W., Cox, B. J., Sareen, J., & Freeman, P. (2001). Adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism in medical students: A longitudinal investigation. Medical Education, 35, 1034–1042.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Flett, G. L., & Hewitt, P. L. (2006). Positive versus negative perfectionism in psychopathology: A comment on Slade and Owens’s dual process model. Behavior Modification, 30(4), 472–495.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Flett, G. L., & Hewitt, P. L. (2012). Perfectionism and cognitive factors in distress and dysfunction in children and adolescents: Introduction to the special issue. Journal of Rational-Emotive and Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 30, 53–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flett, G. L., & Hewitt, P. L. (2014). A proposed framework for preventing perfectionism and promoting resilience and mental health among vulnerable children and adolescents. Psychology in the Schools, 51, 899–912.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flett, G. L., Hewitt, P. L., Blankstein, K. R., & Gray, L. (1998). Psychological distress and the frequency of perfectionistic thinking. Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, 75(5), 1363–1381.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flett, G. L., Baricza, C., Gupta, A., Hewitt, P. L., & Endler, N. S. (2011). Perfectionism, psychosocial impact and coping with irritable bowel disease: A study of patients with crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Journal of Health Psychology, 16(4), 561–571.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Flett, G. L., Hewitt, P. L., & Heisel, M. J. (2014). The destructiveness of perfectionism revisited: Implications for the assessment of suiced risk and the prevention of suicide. Review of General Psychology, 18, 156–172.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flett, G. L., Hewitt, P. L., & Nepon, T. (in press). Perfectionism, worry, and rumination in health and mental health: A review and a conceptual framework for a cognitive theory of perfectionism. In F. M. Sirois & D. S. Molnar (Eds.), Perfectionism, health, and well-being (pp. TBA). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flett, G. L., Hewitt, P. L., & Molnar, D. S. (in press). Perfectionism in health and illness from a person-focused, historical perspective. In F. M. Sirois & D. S. Molnar (Eds.), Perfectionism, health, and well-being (pp. TBA). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Friedman, H. S. (2000). Long-term relations of personality and health: Dynamisms, mechanisms, tropisms. Journal of Personality, 68(6), 1089–1107.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Frost, R. O., Marten, P. A., Lahart, C., & Rosenblate, R. (1990). The dimensions of perfectionism. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 14, 449–468.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frost, R. O., Heimberg, R. G., Holt, C. S., Mattia, J. I., & Neubauer, A. L. (1993). A comparison of two measures of perfectionism. Personality and Individual Differences, 14(1), 119–126.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fry, P. S., & Debats, D. L. (2009). Perfectionism and the five-factor personality traits as predictors of mortality in older adults. Journal of Health Psychology, 14(4), 513–524.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Funder, D. C. (2008). Persons, situations, and person-situation interactions. In O. P. John, R. W. Robins, & L. A. Pervin (Eds.), Handbook of personality: Theory and research (pp. 568–580). New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenspon, T. S. (2000). “Healthy perfectionism” is an oxymoron! Reflections on the psychology of perfectionism and the sociology of science. Journal of Secondary Gifted Education, 22, 176–181.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haase, A. M., Prapavessis, H., & Owens, R. G. (1999). Perfectionism and eating attitudes in competitive rowers: Moderating effects of body mass, weight classification and gender. Psychology and Health, 14, 643–657.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haase, A. M., Prapavessis, H., & Owens, R. G. (2002). Perfectionism, social physique anxiety and disordered eating: A comparison of male and female elite athletes. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 3, 209–222.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hadjistavropoulos, H., Dash, H., Hadjistavropoulos, T., & Sullivan, T. (2007). Recurrent pain among university students: Contributions of self-efficacy and perfectionism to the pain experience. Personality and Individual Differences, 42, 1081–1091.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hamachek, D. E. (1978). Psychodynamics of normal and neurotic perfectionism. Psychology: A Journal of Human Behavior, 15, 27–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hewitt, P. L., & Flett, G. L. (1991). Perfectionism in the self and social contexts: Conceptualization, assessment, and association with psychopathology. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 60, 456–470.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hewitt, P. L., & Flett, G. L. (1990). Perfectionism and depression: A multidimensional analysis. Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 5, 423–438.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hewitt, P. L., & Flett, G. L. (2007). When does conscientiousness become perfectionism? Current Psychiatry, 6, 49–60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hewitt, P. L., Flett, G. L., & Mikail, S. F. (1995). Perfectionism and relationship adjustment in pain patients and their spouses. Journal of Family Psychology, 9(3), 335–347.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hewitt, P. L., Flett, G. L., Sherry, S. B., Habke, M., Parkin, M., Lam, R. W., McMurtry, B., Ediger, E., Fairlie, P., & Stein, M. (2003). The interpersonal expression of perfection: Perfectionistic self-presentation and psychological distress. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84, 1303–1325.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hill, R. W., McIntire, K., & Bacharach, V. R. (1997). Perfectionism and the Big Five factors. Journal of Social Behavior & Personality, 12, 257–270.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hill, R. W., Huelsman, T. J., & Araujo, G. (2010). Perfectionistic concerns suppress associations between perfectionistic strivings and positive life outcomes. Personality and Individual Differences, 48, 584–589.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hill, R. W., Huelsman, T. J., Furr, M., Kibler, J., & Vicente, B. B. K. C. (2004). A new measure of perfectionism: The perfectionism inventory. Journal of Personality Assessment, 82(1), 80–91.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Horney, K. (1950). Neurosis and human growth. New York: Norton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kempke, S., Van Houdenhove, B., Claes, S., & Luyten, P. (in press). The role of perfectionism in chronic fatigue syndrome. In F. M. Sirois & D. S. Molnar (Eds.), Perfectionism, health, and well-being (pp. TBA). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kobori, O. (2006). A cognitive model of perfectionism: The relationship of perfectionism personality to psychological adaptation and maladaptation. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Tokyo, Tokyo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mackinnon, S. P., Sherry, S. B., Antony, M. M., Stewart, S. H., Sherry, D. L., & Hartling, N. (2012). Caught in a bad romance: Perfectionism, conflict, and depression in romantic relationships. Journal of Family Psychology, 26, 215–225.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Magnusson, D. (2003). The person-centered approach: Concepts, measurement models, and research strategy. New Directions in Child and Adolescent Development, 101, 3–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matud, M. P. (2004). Gender differences in stress and coping styles. Personality and Individual Differences, 37, 1401–1415. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2004.01.010.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Molnar, D. S., & Sirois, F. M. (in press). Perfectionism in the context of chronic illness. In F. M. Sirois & D. S. Molnar (Eds.), Perfectionism, health, and well-being (pp. TBA). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Molnar, D. S., Reker, D. L., Culp, N. A., Sadava, S. W., & DeCourville, N. H. (2006). A mediated model of perfectionism, affect, and physical health. Journal of Research in Personality, 40(5), 482–500.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Molnar, D. S., Sadava, S. W., Flett, G. L., & Colautti, J. (2012). Perfectionism and health-related quality of life in women with fibromyalgia. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 73, 295–300.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Molnar, D. S., Flett, G. L., Sirois, F. M., & Hewitt, P. L. (forthcoming). A person-centered approach to multidimensional perfectionism in chronic illness: Perfectionism profiles in physical functioning, psychological health, and social resources.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pacht, A. R. (1984). Reflections on perfectionism. American Psychologist, 39, 386–390.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parker, W. D., & Stumpf, H. (1995). An examination of the multidimensional perfectionism scale with a sample of academically talented children. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 13, 372–383.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rice, K. G., & Dellwo, J. P. (2002). Perfectionism and self-development: Implications for self-esteem, depression, and college adjustment. Journal of Counseling & Development, 80, 188–196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rice, K. G., Ashby, J. A., & Slaney, R. B. (1998). Self-esteem as a moderator between perfectionism and depression: A structural equations analysis. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 45, 304–314.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rice, K. G., Leever, B. A., Christopher, J., & Porter, J. D. (2006). Perfectionism, stress, and social (dis)connection: A short-term study of hopeless, depression, and academic adjustment among honors students. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 53, 524–534.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rice, K. G., Ashby, J. S., & Gilman, R. (2011). Classifying adolescent perfectionists. Psychological Assessment, 23(3), 563–577.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rice, K. G., Richardson, C. M., & Ray, M. E. (in press). Perfectionism in academic settings. In F. M. Sirois & D. S. Molnar (Eds.), Perfectionism, health, and well-being (pp. TBA). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saboonchi, F., & Lundh, L.-G. (2003). Perfectionism, anger, somatic health, and positive affect. Personality and Individual Differences, 35, 1585–1599. doi:10.1016/S0191-8869(02)00382-3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sapieja, K. M., Dunn, J. G. H., & Holt, N. L. (2011). Perfectionism and perceptions of parenting styles in male youth soccer. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 33, 20–39.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shafran, R., & Mansell, W. (2001). Perfectionism and psychopathology: A review of research and treatment. Clinical Psychology Review, 21, 879–906.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shafran, R., Cooper, Z., & Fairburn, C. G. (2002). Clinical perfectionism: A cognitive-behavioural analysis. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 40(7), 773–791.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sherry, S. B., Mackinnon, S. P., & Gautreau, C. M. (in press). Perfectionists don’t play nicely with others: Expanding the social disconnection model. In F. M. Sirois & D. S. Molnar (Eds.), Perfectionism, health, and well-being (pp. TBA). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sirois, F. M. (in press). Perfectionism and health behaviors: A self-regulation resource perspective. In F. M. Sirois & D. S. Molnar (Eds.), Perfectionism, health, and well-being (pp. TBA). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sirois, F. M., & Molnar, D. S. (2014). Perfectionism and maladaptive coping styles in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia/arthritis and in healthy controls. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 83(6), 384–385.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sirois, F. M., Molnar, D. S., & Methot-Jones, T. (forthcoming). Does striving for perfection guarantee perfect health?: A meta-analysis of perfectionism, stress, and health.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slaney, R. B., & Ashby, J. (1996). Perfectionists: Study of a criterion group. Journal of Counseling and Development, 74, 393–398.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slaney, R. B., Chadha, N., Mobley, M., & Kennedy, S. (2000). Perfectionism in Asian Indians: Exploring the meaning of the construct in India. The Counseling Psychologist, 28, 10–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slaney, R. B., Rice, K. G., Mobley, M., Trippi, J., & Ashby, J. S. (2001). The revised almost perfect scale. Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development, 34(3), 130–145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, T. W. (2006). Personality as risk and resilience in physical health. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 15, 227–231.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stoeber, J., & Damian, L. E. (in press). Perfectionism in employees: Work engagement, workaholism, and burnout. In F. M. Sirois & D. S. Molnar (Eds.), Perfectionism, health, and well-being (pp. TBA). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stoeber, J., & Otto, K. (2006). Positive conceptions of perfectionism: Approaches, evidence, challenges. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 10, 295–319.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stoeber, J., & Stoeber, F. S. (2009). Domains of perfectionism: Prevalence and relationships with perfectionism, gender, age, and satisfaction with life. Personality and Individual Differences, 46, 530–535.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stoeber, J., Otto, K., & Dalbert, C. (2009). Perfectionism and the big five: Conscientiousness predicts longitudinal increases in self-oriented perfectionism. Personality and Individual Differences, 47,363–368.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stoeber, J., Kobori, O., & Tanno, Y. (2010). The multidimensional perfectionism cognitions inventory-English (MPCI-E): Reliability, validity, and relationships with positive and negative affect. Journal of Personality Assessment, 92, 16–25.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stoeber, J., Kobori, O., & Brown, A. (2014a). Examining mutual suppression effects in the assessment of perfectionism cognitions: Evidence supporting multidimensional assessment. Assessment, 21, 647–660.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stoeber, J., Schneider, N., Hussain, R., & Matthews, K. (2014b). Perfectionism and negative affect after repeated failure: Anxiety, depression, and anger. Journal of Individual Differences, 35(2), 87–94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stumpf, H., & Parker, W. D. (2000). A hierarchical structural analysis of perfectionism and its relation to other personality characteristics. Personality and Individual Differences, 28, 837–852.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swann, W. B. Jr., & Seyle, C. (2005). Personality’s comeback and its emerging symbiosis with social psychology. Personality and Social Psychology, 31, 155–165.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Terry-Short, L. A., Owens, R. G., Slade, P. D., & Dewey, M. E. (1995). Positive and negative perfectionism. Personality and Individual Differences, 18(5), 663–668.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vickers, R. R., Conway, T. L., & Hervig, L. K. (1990). Demonstration of replicable dimensions of health behaviors. Preventive Medicine, 19, 377–401.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wade, T. D., O’Shea, A. O., & Shafran, R. (in press). Perfectionism and eating disorders. In F. M. Sirois & D. S. Molnar (Eds.), Perfectionism, health, and well-being (pp. TBA). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Institute on Addictions, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA

    Danielle S. Molnar PhD

  2. Department of Psychology, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada

    Danielle S. Molnar PhD

  3. Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, 309 Western Bank, S10 2TP, Sheffield, UK

    Fuschia M. Sirois PhD, BSc.

  4. Centre for Research on Aging, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada

    Fuschia M. Sirois PhD, BSc.

Authors
  1. Danielle S. Molnar PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Fuschia M. Sirois PhD, BSc.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Danielle S. Molnar PhD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom

    Fuschia M. Sirois

  2. University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Research Institute on Addictions, Buffalo, New York, USA

    Danielle S. Molnar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Molnar, D., Sirois, F. (2016). Perfectionism, Health, and Well-Being: Epilogue and Future Directions. In: Sirois, F., Molnar, D. (eds) Perfectionism, Health, and Well-Being. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18582-8_13

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation