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Perfectionistic Self-Presentation and Psychopathology: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Silvia Casale1, Andrea Svicher2, Giulia Fioravanti1
1Department of Health Sciences, Psychology Section, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy
|April 11, 2024
Summary
Perfectionistic self-presentation (PSP), the need to seem perfect, is linked to various psychological issues like social anxiety and depression. Distinguishing between PSP facets is crucial for understanding these links.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychopathology Research
Background:
- Perfectionism is a known risk factor for psychopathology.
- Research increasingly focuses on perfectionistic self-presentation (PSP), the drive to appear perfect, beyond trait perfectionism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To meta-analyze the relationship between facets of perfectionistic self-presentation (PSP) and psychopathology outcomes.
- To investigate PSP as a transdiagnostic factor in mental health.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search identifying 30 studies (37 samples; N=15,072).
- Random-effects meta-analysis of 192 effect sizes.
- Analysis across undergraduate, community, and clinical samples.
Main Results:
- PSP facets are associated with diverse psychopathology, notably social anxiety, depression, and vulnerable narcissism.
- Findings suggest PSP is a transdiagnostic factor.
- Unique associations were found for specific PSP facets, indicating the need for differentiation.
Conclusions:
- Perfectionistic self-presentation is a significant transdiagnostic risk factor for psychopathology.
- Understanding the nuances of PSP facets (appearing perfect, avoiding imperfection, avoiding disclosure) is important for clinical implications.
- The associations hold across different sample types.
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