Perfectionistic Self-Presentation, Socially Prescribed Perfectionism, Self-Oriented Perfectionism, Interpersonal Hopelessness, and Suicidal Ideation in U.S. Adults: Reexamining the Social Disconnection Model

Abstract

Objective

Research has linked perfectionism to increased suicidal ideation (SI), although less is known regarding the mechanisms that explain this relation. The Perfectionism Social Disconnection Model (PSDM) posits that interpersonal aspects of perfectionism cause interpersonal problems (e.g., hostility, loneliness) which in turn increase a person’s risk for experiencing SI. The present study aimed to replicate and extend previous findings related to the PSDM and SI using measures of interpersonal hopeless and general hopelessness.

Method

Tenets of the PSDM were tested in a sample of 313 U.S. adults with a history of SI, by determining whether experiences of general hopelessness and interpersonal hopelessness explained the relation between three types of perfectionism: perfectionistic self-presentation (PSP), socially prescribed perfectionism (SPP), and self-oriented perfectionism (SOP).

Results

Results indicated that PSP, SPP, and SOP were positively associated with SI, general hopelessness, and interpersonal hopelessness.The relation between aspects of perfectionism and SI demonstrated an indirect effect through interpersonal hopelessness only.

Conclusions

These results lend support to the PSDM’s assertion that interpersonal problems aid in explaining the relation between perfectionism and SI. The current study was limited by the cross-sectional nature of the study as well as the homogenous sample. Implications for research and clinical work are discussed.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Aspects of perfectionism are related to suicidal ideation

• Aspects of perfectionism are related to interpersonal hopelessness

• Interpersonal hopelessness explains why perfectionism and suicidal ideation are related

Keywords:

• Hopelessness
• interpersonal hopelessness
• perfectionism
• social disconnection
• suicidal ideation

AUTHOR NOTES

Anthony Robinson, Emma Moscardini, Raymond Tucker, and Matthew Calamia. Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.