Evolution and Prospects of Perfectionism Research: A Literature Review Perspective
Abstract
Perfectionism, as a multidimensional personality trait, encompasses both the pursuit of excellence and potential negative psychological outcomes. This review systematically examines the conceptual evolution, major theoretical models, and measurement tools of perfectionism, summarizes its psychological mechanisms and its roles in mental health, academic, occupational, and interpersonal domains, analyzes the current limitations of research, and proposes directions for future studies. The review indicates that adaptive perfectionism is positively associated with personal goal achievement, whereas maladaptive perfectionism significantly predicts psychological disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and burnout. Future research should focus on longitudinal and cross-cultural studies, explore neural mechanisms, and develop intervention strategies to advance both theoretical understanding and practical application.
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