Perfectionism typologies among undergraduate and graduate students: Prevalence and associations with psychosocial adjustment and academic performance
Abstract
Objective: In this study, we examine the prevalence and demographic, academic, and psychosocial correlates of perfectionism typologies among postsecondary students. We focus on a lesser-known typology characterized by low personal standards and moderate self-critical cognitions, which we label "discordant perfectionism." Participants: Our sample of 8,689 students from 15 U.S. institutions was drawn from a larger longitudinal investigation of well-being and academic success. Methods: Students completed self-reported measures of perfectionism, demographics, and psychosocial adjustment in spring 2016. GPA was obtained from registrars in fall 2016. Results: A substantial proportion of students were classified as discordant perfectionists (26.1% of undergraduates, 18.8% of graduate students) with Asian students, men, first-generation undergraduates, and international students overrepresented. Discordant perfectionism was associated with markedly worse outcomes than the other typologies, with the lowest average GPA, subjective well-being, coping self-efficacy, and social connectedness. Conclusions: Discordant perfectionism merits further consideration as a risk factor for postsecondary students.
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Lower adaptation scores in Procrastinated and Poorly Adjusted Students align with their poorer academic outcomes.
“In contrast, the lower adaptation scores in the Procrastinated and Poorly Adjusted Students align with their poorer academic outcomes, emphasizing the importance of supporting students’ transition to university life [56,57].”
From Academic motivation, procrastination, and adjustment: Exploring their impact on student profiles and academic performance (2025) · cites this paper as [56]
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Vlachopanou, P., Maska, L., Kalamaras, D., & Nasika, F. (2025) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0335913 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
- Authors
- Morpeth-Provost, J. E., Boyer, B. P., Pitasky, S. N., & Brownson, C.
- Affiliations
- Department of Educational Psychology, College of Education, The University of Texas at Austin
- The University of Texas at Austin (US)
- Venue
- Journal of American College Health
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2022-10-13
- Volume
- 72
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- 2343-2347
- ISSN
- 0164-4300 (ISSN-L)
- 0744-8481
- 1940-3208
- OpenAlex
- W4304975317
- Cited by
- 8
- References
- 7
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 2
- FWCI
- 1.37
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of American College Health (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Perfectionism, Procrastination, Anxiety Studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Student Stress and Coping
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Grit, Self-Efficacy, and Motivation
- Keywords
- perfectionism, postsecondary students, undergraduate students, graduate students, academic performance, psychosocial adjustment, subjective well-being, coping self-efficacy, social connectedness, demographic correlates, first-generation college students, international students
- MeSH terms
- Perfectionism, Academic Performance, Adaptation, Psychological, Adolescent, Adult, Female, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Students, United States, Universities, Prevalence, Self Efficacy, Young Adult, Self Report
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