Perfectionism Across Adolescence

Abstract

Longitudinal analysis of how perfectionism changes from age 12 to 18 using the Foundations study panel. Examines prevalence, trajectories, gender differences, state-level variation (Utah, Arizona, California), and differences by sexual/gender minority (SGM) status. Finds that while most adolescents fall in moderate ranges, a meaningful minority show high toxic perfectionism, with significant disparities by gender and identity. Explores social media and choice overload as cultural contributors to rising perfectionism rates.

Findings for Latter-day Saints

• From age 12 to 18, average perfectionism scores increase slightly but significantly, moving from mild disagreement toward neutral on perfectionism statements.
• 15% of youth are high in both discrepancy and social perfectionism; 41% are mid on both; only 25% are low on both.
• Girls are nearly twice as likely as boys to be in the high-perfectionism group: ~1 in 5 girls vs. ~1 in 10 boys; more than 1 in 4 girls are high on at least one type.
• Utah has the highest perfectionism rates of the three states measured: 18% high in Utah vs. 13% in Arizona vs. 11% in California (Utah–California difference statistically significant).
• Sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth show dramatically higher perfectionism: 27% high vs. 14% high for non-SGM youth; only 14% low vs. 29% low for non-SGMs.

Limitations in methodology

Sample restricted to Utah, Arizona, and California; findings may not generalize nationally or internationally. Participants were randomly selected from these states but the sampling frame is not fully representative of all adolescents. State comparisons are limited by differing religious and demographic compositions. SGM group (n=182 at Wave 4) is a small subset, limiting statistical power for subgroup analyses.

Related studies

• 2024PerfectionismMental Health

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• 2024PerfectionismParenting

  Parental Influence on Adolescent Perfectionism

  Jenet Erickson, Olivia Forsberg et al.

Cite this study

Dyer, W. J. (2024). Perfectionism Across Adolescence. BYU Studies Quarterly, 63(4). https://byustudies.byu.edu/issue/63-4

W. Justin Dyer. "Perfectionism Across Adolescence." BYU Studies Quarterly, 63(4), 2024. https://byustudies.byu.edu/issue/63-4.

@article{byu_studies_63_4_perfectionism_across_adolescence,
  title = {Perfectionism Across Adolescence},
  author = {W. Justin Dyer},
  year = {2024},
  journal = {BYU Studies Quarterly, 63(4)},
  url = {https://byustudies.byu.edu/issue/63-4},
}