Examining the Link Between Multidimensional Perfectionism and Depression: A Longitudinal Study of the Intervening Effects of Social Disconnection

Abstract

Introduction: The Perfectionism Social Disconnection Model (PSDM) posits that perfectionism confers risk for depression by promoting social disconnection. However, the specific indirect effect of social disconnection on the prospective relation of perfectionism dimensions with depression severity is not well understood. The aim of the current study was to provide the first comprehensive examination of the PSDM. Methods: A diverse community sample of 447 completed measures of trait perfectionism, perfectionistic self-presentation styles, and depressive symptoms at baseline. Six months later, participants completed measures of perfectionistic self-presentation styles, social disconnection, and depressive symptoms. Indirect effects models were analyzed to examine the impact of each facet of perfectionism on social disconnection and subsequent depression severity. Results: Consistent with the PSDM, all perfectionism traits and self-presentation styles resulted in greater depression severity via one or more facets of social disconnection, with social hopelessness and loneliness demonstrating the most widespread effects. Furthermore, perfectionistic self-presentation styles and social disconnection demonstrated sequential indirect effects on the relation of self-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism with depressive symptoms at follow-up. Discussion: This study is the first to demonstrate the depressogenic effects of all perfectionism dimensions. Findings delineate the interpersonal mechanisms underlying the perfectionism-depression link.

Perfectionism and its role in depressive disorders.

“…Moreover, research addressing how elements of the CMPB interact with one another is vital. The findings of Rnic et al (2021) described earlier provide a powerful demonstrations that CMPB elements can influence the expression of one's purported perfectionism resulting in adverse outcomes. Lastly, an important avenue for future research involves the evaluation of combining different measures and conceptualizations of perfectionism into two factors.…”

“…Namely, as mentioned, there is evidence that other-oriented perfectionism in mothers and siblings can contribute to depression symptoms in university-aged adults (e.g., Smith, Sherry, Glowacka, et al, 2019). Moreover, there are also recent suggestions that other-oriented perfectionism may be relevant to depression symptoms in specific cultural groups (Chen et al, 2017) and older samples of adults (Rnic et al, 2021). These findings considered together suggests that perfectionism functions in complex ways in its association with depression.…”

“…Subsequently, Magson et al (2019) demonstrated using correlational and experimental methods that self-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism predicted increased interpersonal difficulty, rejection sensitivity, feelings of social disconnection, and depressive symptoms in preteen adolescents. Finally, Rnic et al (2021) studied a diverse sample of community adults at two time points, 6 months apart. Consistent with the PSDM, they found that perfectionism’s trait and self-presentational elements resulted in greater depression severity via one or more social disconnection facets, with social hopelessness and loneliness demonstrating the most widespread effects.…”

Familial Affective Responsiveness Mediates the Relations Between Parental Perfectionistic Self-Presentation and Adolescent Psychological Maladjustment

“…According to the PSDM (Hewitt et al, 2017), perfectionistic self-presentation represents a set of defensive interpersonal behaviors aimed at securing approval and admiration (perfectionistic self-promotion) and preventing humiliations and rejections by others (nondisplay of imperfection and nondisclosure of imperfection). Paradoxically, these very behaviors that aim to enhance one's social approval and standing and prevent rejections and alienation often promote feelings of shame, emotional detachment, and subjective and/or objective forms of disconnectedness from one's social environment (e.g., Goya Arce et al, 2017; Lin & Szczygiel, 2022; Rnic et al, 2021;Robinson et al, 2021). By assessing familial affective responsiveness, as a measure of perceived emotional connectedness between family members, our study sheds more light on the mechanism by which parental perfectionism contributes to adolescent psychological maladjustment.…”

“…In support of the PSDM (Hewitt et al, 2017), perfectionistic self-presentation has been positively linked with indicators of social disconnection (e.g., loneliness, social anxiety, and interpersonal hopelessness), which in turn, predicted increased depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in studies involving community adults (Rnic et al, 2021;Robinson et al, 2021) and adolescents (Goya Arce & Polo, 2017).…”