The perniciousness of perfectionism: A meta‐analytic review of the perfectionism–suicide relationship

Abstract

Results lend credence to theoretical accounts suggesting self-generated and socially based pressures to be perfect are part of the premorbid personality of people prone to suicide ideation and attempts. Perfectionistic strivings' association with suicide ideation also draws into question the notion that such strivings are healthy, adaptive, or advisable.

An Examination of Social Comparison and Suicide Ideation Through the Lens of the Integrated Motivational–Volitional Model of Suicidal Behavior

“…Another useful perspective is the PSDM (Hewitt et al., ), which suggests that factors related to interpersonal problems and social disconnectedness act as mechanisms for perfectionism leading to negative outcomes, such as depression (Goya Arce & Polo, ) and suicide ideation (Roxborough et al., ). Much research has indicated that perfectionism is a consistent risk factor for suicide ideation (Flett et al., ; O'Connor, ; Smith et al., ), but not many factors have been found that can account for this. In this vein, we suggest that making negative comparisons may be a mechanism for an individual high on perfectionist traits to feel defeated and entrapped, and ultimately increase risk of suicide ideation.…”

“…Included within the premotivational phase of the IMV model (Figure ) are personality and individual differences factors that are hypothesized to render individuals differentially sensitive to environmental signals that indicate defeat and entrapment (O'Connor, ). Socially prescribed perfectionism is a key example in this regard; it is defined as the belief that others hold unrealistically high expectations for you and your behavior (Hewitt & Flett, ), and high levels of this form of perfectionism are consistently linked to suicide ideation and behavior (for reviews, see Flett, Hewitt, & Heisel, ; O'Connor, ; for a meta‐analysis, see Smith et al., ). It has been suggested that those who are high on self‐critical or perfectionistic traits are more likely to perceive defeat and less likely to accept this defeat (Sturman, ).…”

Особенности Молодых Людей С Самоповреждениями И Предшествующими Попытками В Остром Суицидальном Кризисе

“…В качестве переменных для сравнения мы выбрали психологические характеристики, которые заявили себя как значимые факторы в развитии суицидального поведения: сочувствие к себе [37], перфекционизм [38], ощущаемая социальная поддержка [39], безнадёжность и душевная боль [34,40]. Мы также включили в блок методик опросники, исследующие временную перспективу прошлого и будущего, а также стили привязанности, поскольку в предыдущем исследовании они зарекомендовали себя как важные переменные [36].…”

Self‐stigma and domains of well‐being in high school youth: Associations with self‐efficacy, self‐esteem, and self‐criticism

“…While this has not been studied extensively in adolescents, a previous study by Zeifman et al () did examine the possible association between perfectionism and self‐stigma of seeking help among high school students. A self‐stigma for seeking help among perfectionistic youth is potentially quite important given established links between perfectionism and suicide ideation among people of various ages including adolescents (see Flett, Hewitt, & Heisel, ; Smith et al, ), and the tendency for perfectionistic young people to be unwilling to seek help when experiencing psychological pain (Flett, Hewitt, Nepon, & Zaki‐Azat, ). Zeifman et al () reported a link between self‐oriented perfectionism and self‐stigma of seeking help in students with lower levels of contact with people with mental illness, or less familiarity with mental illness.…”