The distinct link of perfectionism with positive and negative mental health outcomes

Simon, P. D., Salanga, M. G. C., & Aruta, J. J. B. A. (2025). The distinct link of perfectionism with positive and negative mental health outcomes. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 16, 1492466. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1492466

Rationale

Perfectionism significantly relates to various mental health outcomes, historically viewed as primarily maladaptive due to its link with psychopathology (Limburg et al., 2017).

However, research also supports adaptive aspects of perfectionism associated with positive psychological outcomes, such as life satisfaction (Chen et al., 2017).

Mental health is increasingly viewed as bidimensional, incorporating both positive well-being and absence of psychopathology (Westerhof & Keyes, 2010).

Given inconsistencies in findings regarding perfectionism’s mental health outcomes, particularly across diverse cultural contexts (Kitayama & Park, 2007), investigating perfectionism’s adaptive and maladaptive aspects among non-Western samples, like Filipino students, represents an important next step.

Method

The study employed structural equation modeling with data collected through an online survey from Filipino undergraduate students.

Procedure:

• Participants recruited via online survey.
• Measures assessing perfectionism, depression, anxiety, stress, satisfaction with life, and meaning in life administered.
• Data collected during peak COVID-19 period.

Sample:

• 467 undergraduate students from a private university in the Philippines.
• 65% female, 34% male, average age 19.72 years.

Measures:

• Almost Perfect Scale-Revised (APS-R): Measures perfectionism dimensions (High Standards, Discrepancy).
• Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-21): Measures symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.
• Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS): Measures life satisfaction.
• Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ): Measures presence of and search for meaning in life.

Statistical measures:

• Structural equation modeling (SEM) with fit indices (CFI, TLI, RMSEA, SRMR).

Results

Hypothesis 1:

High standards will be positively associated with positive mental health (life satisfaction, presence of meaning, and search for meaning) and negatively associated with negative mental health (depression, anxiety, and stress).  

• Partially supported.  
• High Standards positively predicted life satisfaction and stress.  
• High Standards negatively predicted depression, presence of meaning, and search for meaning.  
• High Standards did not significantly predict anxiety.  

Hypothesis 2:

Discrepancy will be positively associated with negative mental health (depression, anxiety, and stress) and negatively associated with positive mental health (life satisfaction, presence of meaning, and search for meaning).  

• Discrepancy did not significantly predict search for meaning.
• Partially supported.  
• Discrepancy positively predicted depression, anxiety, and stress.  
• Discrepancy negatively predicted life satisfaction.  
• Discrepancy positively predicted presence of meaning.  

Insight

Findings highlight that adaptive perfectionism (High Standards) can boost life satisfaction while paradoxically increasing stress, suggesting nuanced effects.

High Standards can drive individuals towards achievement and life satisfaction. However, it can also lead to stress and a diminished sense of meaning.

Maladaptive perfectionism (Discrepancy) clearly predicts negative mental health outcomes but can unexpectedly increase presence of meaning.

Discrepancy, the perception of falling short of one’s standards, is a strong predictor of negative mental health outcomes like depression, anxiety, and stress.

Interestingly, the study found that Discrepancy can be associated with a greater presence of meaning. This suggests that people may derive meaning from their experiences of failure or dissatisfaction.

This research aligns with the idea that well-being includes more than just the absence of psychopathology.

This research advances understanding by demonstrating that the negative psychological impact of perfectionism may coexist with increased existential meaning, indicating complexity in mental health outcomes and perfectionism’s cultural relevance.

Future research should explore perfectionism across various age groups and socioeconomic contexts.

Clinical Implications

The findings have important implications for clinical practice.

Practitioners should consider the distinct links between perfectionism and both the negative and positive indicators of mental health.

Interventions should address not only pathological symptoms but also focus on enhancing well-being.

Recognizing the potential for finding meaning in experiences of discrepancy can also inform therapeutic approaches.

Strengths

• Clear differentiation between adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism.
• Comprehensive bidimensional mental health assessment.
• Cultural relevance within Filipino context.
• Robust statistical analysis (SEM).

Limitations

• University student sample may limit generalizability.
• Low reliability of presence of meaning subscale.
• No prior power analysis.
• COVID-19 pandemic effects not controlled statistically.

Socratic Questions

1. How might cultural values influence the impact of perfectionism on mental health?
2. Can setting high personal standards ever be considered entirely beneficial?
3. Under what conditions might discrepancy perfectionism lead to positive mental health outcomes?
4. What alternative explanations might there be for the positive correlation between discrepancy perfectionism and presence of meaning?
5. How might socioeconomic factors alter the relationship between perfectionism and mental health?
6. What methodological changes could strengthen future studies on perfectionism and mental health?

References

Simon, P. D., Salanga, M. G. C., & Aruta, J. J. B. A. (2025). The distinct link of perfectionism with positive and negative mental health outcomes. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 16, 1492466. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1492466

Chen, L., Zhong, M., Cao, X., Jin, X., Wang, Y., Ling, Y., & Yi, J. (2017). Stress and self-esteem mediate the relationships between different categories of perfectionism and life satisfaction. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 12(3), 593-605. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-016-9478-3

Kitayama, S., & Park, H. (2007). Cultural shaping of self, emotion, and well-being: How does it work? Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 1(1), 202-222. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-9004.2007.00016.x

Limburg, K., Watson, H. J., Hagger, M. S., & Egan, S. J. (2017). The relationship between perfectionism and psychopathology: A meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 73(10), 1301-1326. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22435

Westerhof, G. J., & Keyes, C. L. M. (2010). Mental illness and mental health: The two continua model across the lifespan. Journal of Adult Development, 17(2), 110-119. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10804-009-9082-y

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