A person-oriented approach to multidimensional perfectionism: Perfectionism profiles in health and well-being
Open accessAbstract
Advances in understanding of the perfectionism construct have been limited by an almost exclusive reliance on a variable-centered approach. This study utilized a person-oriented approach to examine Hewitt and Flett’s conceptualization of multidimensional perfectionism in relation to health and well-being. Levels of conscientiousness, extraversion, and neuroticism were also assessed. Cluster analyses were employed to examine within-person configurations of self-oriented, other-oriented, and socially prescribed perfectionism (SPP) in university students ( n = 538) and adults with chronic illness ( n = 773). Five unique configurations were found in both samples and three clusters replicated across samples. “Extreme perfectionists” with high scores across all perfectionism dimensions reported relatively poor physical health, psychological health, psychosocial resources, and well-being along with elevated neuroticism and conscientiousness. A group distinguished by elevated SPP also reported relatively poorer outcomes along with elevated neuroticism and lower conscientiousness. In contrast, “nonperfectionists” reported relatively elevated levels of health and well-being. These profiles differed in their links with health and well-being even after taking into account key differences in conscientiousness and neuroticism. Our results illustrate the importance of employing a person-oriented approach to the study of multidimensional perfectionism, especially as it relates to physical health, mental health, and subjective well-being.
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Research in adults suggests those with high levels of maladaptive perfectionism have poorer physical health outcomes, including earlier mortality, poorer coping with chronic illness, and lower subjective physical health.
“Research in adults suggests those with high levels of maladaptive perfectionism have poorer physical health outcomes, including earlier mortality, poorer coping with chronic illness, and lower subjective physical health (Molnar et al., 2020;Sirois & Molnar, 2016).”
From Perceived acceptability and appropriateness of a web-based program targeting risk for anxiety in young children and their parents (2025) · cites this paper as Molnar et al., 2020
The Abstract reports poorer physical health among the high-perfectionism profiles, including in adults with chronic illness, and cites a longitudinal study linking perfectionism to earlier mortality. The chronic-illness results report physical health, stress, and social support, but do not establish poorer coping with chronic illness specifically. (LLM, conf=0.86)
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- Authors
- Molnar, D. S., Sirois, F. M., Flett, G. L., & Sadava, S.
- Affiliations
- Brock University (CA)
- University of Sheffield (GB)
- York University (CA)
- Brock University, Catharines, Ontario, Canada
- Corresponding author
- Molnar, Danielle S.
- Venue
- Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2019-09-27
- Volume
- 38
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 127-142
- ISSN
- 0734-2829 (ISSN-L)
- 1557-5144
- OpenAlex
- W2975098262
- Cited by
- 29
- References
- 37
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 1
- FWCI
- 3.21
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment (publishedVersion)
- White Rose Research Online (University of Leeds, The University of Sheffield, University of York) (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (Preparation of this article was partially supporte)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Perfectionism, Procrastination, Anxiety Studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Workaholism, burnout, and well-being
- Keywords
- multidimensional perfectionism, self-oriented perfectionism, other-oriented perfectionism, socially prescribed perfectionism, person-oriented approach, physical health, mental health, subjective well-being, neuroticism, conscientiousness, extraversion, chronic disease, university students
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