Trait Perfectionism and Psychosocial Outcomes in Adolescents With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The aim of this prospective cross-sectional study was to examine perfectionism, disease self-management, and psychosocial outcomes in a sample of adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Adolescent patients with IBD and caregivers were enrolled in the study. Patients completed the Child and Adolescent Perfectionism Scale, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and the TRANSITION-Q. Parents completed the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale and the parent form of the SDQ. Health care providers reported on disease activity using the Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index (PUCAI) and the Pediatric Crohn Disease Activity Index (PCDAI).

Ninety adolescents (mean age 15.17 ± 1.49, range = 12-18) with diagnosed IBD (51 CD, 37 UC, and 2 IBD-U) and 76 primary caregivers participated in the study. Results indicated high rates of self-oriented perfectionism in adolescents with IBD (59% of sample reported elevated rates; 33% of sample in the clinical range). After accounting for age, sex, and disease activity, self-oriented perfectionistic striving was associated with better disease self-management; nonetheless, adolescent and parent perfectionistic strivings were also related to higher adolescent internalizing symptoms (standardized beta = 0.22 and 0.29, respectively). Additionally, perfectionistic concerns (self-critical and socially prescribed perfectionism) were associated with higher rates of adolescent-reported externalizing symptoms (standardized beta 0.30 and 0.24). Further, multilevel mixed modelling found no differences within-dyad in relation to perfectionism, but documented that adolescents report higher levels of externalizing symptoms compared with parents.

The present study explores the prevalence and presentation of perfectionism in a sample of adolescents with IBD. Results suggest dimensions of perfectionism are differentially associated with psychosocial and disease management outcomes, suggesting further evidence of the relationship between perfectionism, maladaptive coping, and subsequent influences on health outcomes in the context of pediatric chronic illness.