Perfectionism discrepancy and falling short of the ideal self: Investigating drinking motives and impaired control on the road to alcohol-related problems.

Greater self‐oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism in severe alcohol use disorder

“…First, exacerbated self‐oriented perfectionism confirms the literature showing lowered self‐evaluation in SAUD, including reduced self‐esteem (Salsali & Silverstone, 2003), guilt‐proneness (Grynberg et al, 2017), and self‐blame tendencies (Tapert et al, 2004). Our results offer further support to the self‐discrepancy theory of addiction (Canning et al, 2020) that suggests a divergence between patients' ideal and actual selves: Perfectionism might contribute to this discrepancy, generating self‐criticism. Preexisting self‐oriented perfectionism might thus facilitate the development of negative self‐evaluations during SAUD development, by increasing the perceived gap between unrealistic personal standards and alcohol‐related consequences (e.g., reduced personal/professional achievements).…”

“…Indeed, alcohol consumption reduces self‐control and hampers high academic performance (Mackinnon et al, 2011). However, individuals with maladaptive perfectionistic tendency might use alcohol (1) to overcome their fear of not meeting others' requirements during social interactions, alcohol consumption then facilitating these interactions through disinhibition (Nealis & Mackinnon, 2018); (2) to cope with failure feelings generated by unattainable standards (Rice & Van Arsdale, 2010), alcohol consumption then constituting a self‐medication to reduce negative emotions (Canning et al, 2020; Patock‐Peckham & Corbin, 2019; Richardson et al, 2020). Perfectionism might thus constitute a risk factor for SAUD, this proposal being reinforced by studies (Christian et al, 2021; Hofmann et al, 2012) reporting that elevated perfectionism frequently cooccurs with high impulsivity traits and impulse control disorders, two psychological factors involved in SAUD development.…”

Does loneliness before the age of twelve indirectly affect impaired control over drinking, alcohol use, and problems through perceived stress?

“…The latter evidence is more consistent with studies regarding the impact of childhood trauma on stress reactions such as insomnia ( Noudali et al, 2022 ) and PTSD ( Patock-Peckham et al, 2020 ). Furthermore, coping motives for drinking are positively related to increased IC ( Canning et al, 2020 , Leeman et al, 2007 ). Impaired control is associated with increased alcohol use quantity and frequency in college students ( Frohe et al, 2020 , Patock-Peckham et al, 2020 , Patock-Peckham et al, 2018 ), and prospectively predicts alcohol use disorder (AUD; Leeman et al, 2009 , Patock-Peckham et al, 2019 ).…”

Do Coping Motives and Perceived Impaired Control Mediate the Indirect Links from Childhood Trauma Facets to Alcohol-Related Problems?

“…Coping motives [ 27 ] reflect drinking to forget one’s worries and problems in the hopes of elevating one’s mood; this is drinking because it helps you when you feel depressed or nervous or need a boost in self-confidence. Higher levels of coping motives have been directly linked to a perceived impaired control over alcohol (IC) within a model of perfectionism facets [ 28 ]. Coping motives were also indirectly linked to more alcohol use and alcohol-related problems [ 28 ]; both coping motives and IC mediate the relationship between perfectionism discrepancy and alcohol-related problems.…”

“…Higher levels of coping motives have been directly linked to a perceived impaired control over alcohol (IC) within a model of perfectionism facets [ 28 ]. Coping motives were also indirectly linked to more alcohol use and alcohol-related problems [ 28 ]; both coping motives and IC mediate the relationship between perfectionism discrepancy and alcohol-related problems. Yet, these relationships concerning childhood trauma histories have been left woefully unexplored.…”