Exacting Standards
While research shows some forms of perfectionism are related to small achievement gains, it also reveals perfectionism is commonly associated with experiencing more health problems along with relationship difficulties.Perfectionism as Personality Trait
When measuring perfectionism as a personality trait, psychology researchers identify different “flavors” of perfectionism.Self-oriented perfectionism refers to requiring perfection from oneself. People high in self-oriented perfectionism demand perfection from themselves and are incredibly hard on themselves when they don’t meet those demands.
Socially prescribed perfectionism refers to the belief or perception that others require perfection. Individuals who are high in socially prescribed perfectionism think others demand perfection from them, are critical of them, and believe that they'll never measure up to others’ expectations.
Lack of Closure, Opportunities
It’s important to focus on how young people are doing during these difficult times. Unlike adults who have already gained their sense of independence, the pandemic and its accompanying restrictions have held teens back in a state of suspended reality.Effects of Lockdowns
Our study shows the significant effects lockdowns have had on the self-reported mental health of teens.Results showed an interesting pattern of change with respect to depressive symptoms and stress levels. Depressive symptoms and stress decreased slightly from before the pandemic began to the first lockdown and then increased dramatically from the first to second lockdown.
Although we cannot be sure, one possible explanation for these findings is that teens were able to take a much-needed break from their busy and possibly overscheduled lives during the first lockdown, which resulted in some relief of depressive symptoms and stress.
How Perfectionists Fared
A key finding is that teen perfectionists are not faring as well during the pandemic compared to their non-perfectionistic peers. Teens who demanded perfection from themselves (self-oriented perfectionists) were more depressed, anxious, and stressed than those who didn’t tend to demand perfection from themselves over the course of the pandemic.Results also showed that when teens experienced higher than their typical levels of self-oriented perfectionism, they were also more anxious but not more depressed or stressed.
Teenagers who believed that others demanded perfection from them were more depressed and stressed than those who didn’t have such beliefs during the pandemic.