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Why Perfectionism Is Antithetical to Mindfulness: a Conceptual and Empirical Analysis and Consideration of Treatment Implications

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Abstract

In the current article, we consider the broad question of “Why is perfectionism antithetical to mindfulness?” and we examine the implications for the treatment of perfectionists suffering from stress-related illnesses and disorders. In addition, we review past research on perfectionism and mindfulness. Finally, we also report two empirical studies with university students evaluating the link between perfectionism and dispositional mindfulness. The findings from these studies demonstrate uniquely that socially prescribed perfectionism and facets of perfectionistic self-presentation are both associated with low mindfulness. Additionally, mindfulness was a mediator of the associations between interpersonal facets of perfectionism and depression in study 2. Collectively, the findings suggest that people who experience pressures to be perfect and who are engaged excessively in extreme self-presentation can benefit substantially from increased mindfulness, but it is particularly difficult for certain perfectionists to develop a state of mindfulness that is not consonant with their personality, temperament, and orientation toward life. The implications for the treatment of distressed perfectionists are discussed.

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  1. Department of Psychology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario, M3J 1P3, Canada

    Gordon L. Flett, Taryn Nepon & Alison L. Rose

  2. University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

    Paul L. Hewitt

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  1. Gordon L. Flett
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  2. Taryn Nepon
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Correspondence to Gordon L. Flett.

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The first author was supported by a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Personality and Health.

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Flett, G.L., Nepon, T., Hewitt, P.L. et al. Why Perfectionism Is Antithetical to Mindfulness: a Conceptual and Empirical Analysis and Consideration of Treatment Implications. Int J Ment Health Addiction 19, 1625–1645 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00252-w

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