Perfectionism may contribute to social anxiety, as individuals with perfectionistic tendencies may fear not meeting their high standards in social situations, leading to heightened anxiety.
Investigating the relationship between perfectionism and social anxiety is important because understanding how specific dimensions of perfectionism relate to social anxiety can inform the development of targetedtreatment interventions.
By addressing perfectionistic tendencies in the treatment of social anxiety, individuals may experience greater symptom relief and improved overall functioning.
Clarifying this relationship can also contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the factors that maintain social anxiety.
Key Points
The main findings of this meta-analysis on the relationship between perfectionism and social anxiety include:
Rationale
Perfectionism and social anxiety are distinct psychological phenomena, yet are thought to be related.
Previous research has consistently shown that individuals with social anxiety disorder exhibit higher levels of perfectionism compared to control groups (Antony et al., 1998; Juster et al., 1996; Wheeler et al., 2011).
However, different dimensions of perfectionism appear to show differing relevance to social anxiety, highlighting the need to consider the extent of these relationships.
Synthesizing the available evidence can offer a comprehensive understanding of the overall strength and pattern of associations between different dimensions of perfectionism and social anxiety.
This knowledge may further contribute to the development of interventions for social anxiety that target specific dimensions of perfectionism.
Method
This study employed asystematic reviewandmeta-analysisapproach to examine the relationship between dimensions of perfectionism and social anxiety.
Procedure
The systematic search was conducted using the databases PsychINFO, Medline, and Embase.
Sample
The samples investigated in the studies were predominantly females.
All populations were included, representing a range of demographic variables including age, sex, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and clinical and nonclinical populations.
Measures
Various well-known measures of perfectionism (e.g., the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale) and a range of other inventories of perfectionism were included.
Social anxiety was measured using well-known scales such as the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale and the Social Phobia Scale, as well as other standardized measures of social anxiety.
Statistical measures
A multilevel structural equation modeling approach was used with a three-level random effects model to enable heterogeneity to be explored both within- and between-study.
Moderation analyses were conducted when there was evidence of at least moderate heterogeneity.
Results
The findings showed large to very-large associations between social anxiety and dimensions of perfectionism related to perfectionistic concerns, namely socially prescribed perfectionism, doubts about actions, concerns over mistakes, and discrepancy, as well as self-presentational perfectionism.
Explorative moderation analysis suggests that individual differences such as age, sex, and type of social anxiety did not moderate the relationship between perfectionism and social anxiety.
Region moderated the association between perfectionistic strivings and social anxiety.
Insight
This meta-analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between different dimensions of perfectionism and social anxiety.
The findings suggest that beliefs about others expecting perfection, tendencies to doubt one’s own actions, concerns over making mistakes, and beliefs about needing to present oneself perfectly are particularly relevant to social anxiety.
Future research could explore the interplay and mechanisms occurring in these dimensions of perfectionism and how they may contribute to social anxiety.
Strengths
This study had several methodological strengths, including:
Limitations
Despite strengths, this study also came with several limitations, including:
Implications
The findings underscore the importance of considering the influence of individual differences, such as perfectionism, within models of social anxiety. Addressing perfectionism may be valuable in the treatment of social anxiety.
Interventions such ascognitive behavior therapyfor perfectionism have been found to significantly reduce symptoms of perfectionism, as well as symptoms of anxiety, depression, and eating disorder symptoms (Robinson & Wade, 2021).
References
Primary reference
Ferber, K. A., Chen, J., Tan, N., Sahib, A., Hannaford, T., & Zhang, B. (2024). Perfectionism and social anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice.Advance online publication.https://doi.org/10.1037/cps0000201
Other references
Antony, M. M., Purdon, C. L., Huta, V., & Swinson, R. P. (1998). Dimensions of perfectionism across the anxiety disorders.Behaviour Research and Therapy, 36(12), 1143–1154.https://doi.org/10.1016/S0005-7967(98)00083-7
Juster, H. R., Heimberg, R. G., Frost, R. O., & Holt, C. S. (1996). Social phobia and perfectionism.Personality and Individual Differences, 21(3), 403–410.https://doi.org/10.1016/0191-8869(96)00075-X
Robinson, K., & Wade, T. D. (2021). Perfectionism interventions targeting disordered eating: A systematic review and meta-analysis.The International Journal of Eating Disorders, 54(4), 473–487.https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23483
Wheeler, H. A., Blankstein, K. R., Antony, M. M., McCabe, R. E., & Bieling, P. J. (2011). Perfectionism in anxiety and depression: Comparisons across disorders, relations with symptom severity, and role of comorbidity.International Journal of Cognitive Therapy, 4(1), 66–91.https://doi.org/10.1521/ijct.2011.4.1.66
Keep Learning
Here are some reflective questions related to this study that could prompt further discussion:
Saul McLeod, PhD
BSc (Hons) Psychology, MRes, PhD, University of Manchester
Saul McLeod, PhD., is a qualified psychology teacher with over 18 years of experience in further and higher education. He has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Clinical Psychology.
Olivia Guy-Evans, MSc
BSc (Hons) Psychology, MSc Psychology of Education
Olivia Guy-Evans is a writer and associate editor for Simply Psychology. She has previously worked in healthcare and educational sectors.
