Is perfectionism a vulnerability factor for depressive symptoms, a complication of depressive symptoms, or both? A meta-analytic test of 67 longitudinal studies

Martin M. Smith, Simon B. Sherry, Cassondra Ray, Paul L. Hewitt, Gordon L. Flett

Résultat de recherche: Review articleexamen par les pairs

60 Citations (Scopus)

Résumé

Decades of research implicates perfectionism in depressive symptoms. Yet, inconsistent findings, underpowered studies, and the tendency for researchers to assume one direction of influence have clouded understanding of whether perfectionism is a vulnerability factor for depressive symptoms, a complication of depressive symptoms, or both. Our primary aim was to address this by using meta-analytic structural equation modeling to test cross-lagged reciprocal relations between depressive symptoms and two perfectionism factors: perfectionistic concerns and perfectionistic strivings. Our secondary aim was to catalyze a search for moderators that might explain heterogeneity by conducting a bivariate random-effects meta-analysis. The literature search yielded 67 longitudinal studies (N = 20,583) composed of undergraduates, community members, medical students, treatment-seeking adults, and patients with mental health problems. The relationship between perfectionistic concerns and depressive symptoms was reciprocal, with perfectionistic concerns predicting increased depressive symptoms and vice versa. In contrast, the relationship between perfectionistic strivings and depressive symptoms was unidirectional, with perfectionistic strivings conferring vulnerability for depressive symptoms, but not the reverse. Clinicians who overlook the reciprocal relationship between perfectionistic concerns and depressive symptoms might miss information vital to accurate conceptualization, assessment, and treatment. Perfectionistic strivings may be distinguishable from perfectionistic concerns by being more in line with classical models of personality vulnerability.

Langue d'origineEnglish
Numéro d'article101982
JournalClinical Psychology Review
Volume84
DOI
Statut de publicationPublished - mars 2021

Note bibliographique

Funding Information:
Funding for this study was provided by a grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Grant ( 435-2013-1304 ) awarded to the second author.

Funding Information:
Dr Gordon L. Flett is a professor in the Department of Psychology at York University, a Canadian Research Chair, and Director of the LaMarsh Centre for Child and Youth Research. Dr. Flett is most recognized for his seminal contributions to research and theory on the role of perfectionism in psychopathology. His collaborative work with Dr. Hewitt has received widespread national and international attention and has been the subject of numerous media stories, including coverage on CTV, CNN, and the BBC. This work has been supported by major research grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. For more information on Dr. Flett's scientific research, see health.yorku.ca .

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Elsevier Ltd

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

PubMed: MeSH publication types

  • Journal Article
  • Review

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