Research Hit: The Four Types of Perfectionism and Mental Well-Being

Researchers have identified four types of perfectionism and measured how these relate to stress and mental well-being in school students

Are there really four types of perfectionism?

Kind of. I suppose it is better to say there is a range of perfectionism. This is based on previous research and also this particular research I am reporting on by Anna Kusi of the University of Eastern Finland.

I am intrigued - what are the four types of perfectionism?

In this study of 9th graders in Finland (around about 15 years of age) they found the same types of profiles as in other studies based on strivings (motivation) and concerns (worry/self-criticism):

1. Perfectionists (high strivings and high concerns)

2. Ambitious (high strivings and low concerns)

3. Moderately concerned (relatively low strivings and relatively high concerns)

4. Non-perfectionists (low strivings and low concerns)

Ok, I vary between 2, 3, and 4!

Well, that is unusual. The research also showed that these profiles were stable over time. For most that is. 20% showed variations and shifting between profiles over the year (so you’re in the 20%). I imagine it could also be context dependent.

But the question they really wanted to answer was: how do these profiles impact stress and mental well-being?

Yes, that is important. What did they find?