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Multimodal Protocol for Assessing Metacognition and Self-Regulation in Adults with Learning Difficulties
Published on: September 27, 2020
The relationship between perfectionism and self-esteem in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Viyona Khossousi1, Danyelle Greene2, Roz Shafran3
1Discipline of Psychology, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
Background:
Perfectionism dimensions, including perfectionistic strivings and perfectionistic concerns, have a significant positive association with psychopathology. Clinical perfectionism is defined as when an individual's self-esteem is excessively reliant on meeting high standards despite negative consequences. Numerous studies have found that higher perfectionistic concerns correlate with lower self-esteem; however, evidence for the association with perfectionistic strivings has been mixed.
Aims:
The focus of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to inform theoretical understanding of the relationships between perfectionism dimensions and self-esteem in adults.
Method:
A systematic literature search was conducted in Medline, PsycINFO, PsychARTICLES, ProQuest Central, and Scopus on 31 May 2023.
Results:
There were 83 articles included, with 32,304 participants (Mage=∼24.66 years). There was a significant negative moderate pooled association between self-esteem and perfectionistic concerns, r=-.42, 95% CI [-0.47 to -0.38]. A significant negligible positive pooled association was found between self-esteem and perfectionistic strivings, r=.06, 95% CI [0.01 to 0.11]. Results indicate higher perfectionistic concerns is associated with lower self-esteem, providing indirect support for the cognitive-behavioural model of clinical perfectionism.
Conclusions:
Future research should compare cognitive behaviour therapy for perfectionism to treatments for low self-esteem on outcomes of perfectionistic concerns and psychopathology.
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