Perfectionism as a social identity in eating disorders: A qualitative investigation of identity navigation

Abstract

Objective Socially prescribed perfectionism is considered an important contributor to eating disorder (ED) development and maintenance. Despite this fact, it is unclear how social groups apply this pressure to be perfect, and how this pressure originates and manifests. Our research sought to clarify how group membership relates to perfectionism in EDs. Method Using a Social Identity Approach to understand how social identities (i.e., identities arising from group membership) relate to perfectionism in EDs, we performed semi‐structured interviews with 10 Australian women (ages: 19–34) in recovery from EDs. Results Using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, we found participants suggested personal perfectionism (manifested as self‐control) developed from family standards. Conversely, social perfectionism was a role born from social norms embedded in relevant social groups, and provided definition for perfection. Greater flexibility in defining perfection broadly was reported as important to recovery. Conclusion The results support taking a Social Identity Approach to perfectionism and recovery in EDs. Our research suggests that clinicians should focus on redefining social norms as a potential method to reducing the negative consequences of perfectionism, potentially through the use of group cognitive behavioural therapy to change perfectionism definitions.

Traumatic stress, body shame, and internalized weight stigma as mediators of change in disordered eating: a single-arm pilot study of the Body Trust® framework

“…Aiming for the metaphorical Cis meant to simply to give participants permission to 'fail.' Individuals with disordered eating and body dissatisfaction, who tend to deal with maladaptive perfectionism (Bouguettaya et al, 2019;McGee et al, 2005), may benefit from assistance with lowering one's value of socially prescribed perfectionism. Because many have been socialized to only accept themselves when they feel they have achieved the proverbial A+ (i.e., the perfect body, partner, job, home, etc.…”

The relationships between socially prescribed perfectionism, in‐group affect, negative urgency, and disordered eating in women

“…Different groups possess different norms for "perfect", especially in disordered eating groups (Bouguettaya, Klas, Moulding, King & Knight, 2019). In a family environment, being "perfect" may mean performing well academically (Bould, De Stavola, Magnusson et al, 2016), but in an environment such as being a dancer or cheerleader, this may mean losing weight to achieve a "perfect" body shape (Reel & Gill, 1996).…”

“…This link may be due to perceived societal pressure for women to be perfectly physically attractive (Esnaola et al, 2010) as this social pressure generally mandates they achieve this goal by dieting (Kim & Lennon, 2006). In one qualitative study, women with eating disorders (or clinically significant forms of DE) stated that they attempted to adhere to the concept of being a "perfect woman", and the consequences of this drive toward this "perfect" image as a woman was DE behaviors and attitudes (Bouguettaya et al, 2019). Therefore, this female-based perfectionism appeared to drive DE in this sample (Bouguettaya et al, 2019).…”

“…In one qualitative study, women with eating disorders (or clinically significant forms of DE) stated that they attempted to adhere to the concept of being a "perfect woman", and the consequences of this drive toward this "perfect" image as a woman was DE behaviors and attitudes (Bouguettaya et al, 2019). Therefore, this female-based perfectionism appeared to drive DE in this sample (Bouguettaya et al, 2019). This is consistent with research showing that strongly affiliating with a specific, perfect female gender role (being a "superwoman" who fits all facets of the perfect female prototype, including body image) appears to be a risk factor for developing DE (Mensinger, Bonifazi & LaRosa, 2007), as well as research showing that women with more severe eating disorders (i.e., Anorexia Nervosa) affiliate with these female gender roles more strongly than do those with less severe eating disorders (Behar, de la Barrera & Michelotti, 2003;Steiger, Fraenkel & Leichner, 1989).…”