Perfectionism in studies is connected with harsh criticism and high expectations on the part of parents. Psychologists Thomas Curran from the London School of Economics and Andrew Hill from York St John University conclude this from data from more than 20,000 American, Canadian and British students: "The pressure to be perfect has never been so great.«
The British psychologists see the causes of growing perfectionism in younger people in education, as presenting in the "Psychological Bulletin". Using a meta -analysis with data from more than 7,000 students, they show high expectations and harsh criticism on the part of the parents together with three types of perfectionism - high demands on themselves and to others and the endeavor to meet the high demands from outside.
Although it is not yet possible to conclude a cause-and-effect relationship from this context, Thomas Curran sees a possible mechanism: "Young people internalize high expectations of their parents," he explains. And they did not want to disappoint these expectations. This is at the expense of mental health: "Perfectionism contributes to many mental illnesses, including depression, anxiety, self-harm and eating disorders."
Results of a second meta -analysis with around 24,000 students suggest that the situation could still exacerbate. Between 1989 and 2021, they increasingly reported on pressure and criticism on the part of the parents, but above all about higher expectations: these rose by average on average. It is normal for parents to be concerned about their children. "But this concern is increasingly perceived as pressure to be perfect," says Curran.
He and his colleague see the causes in social trends such as increasing pressure to succeed and individualism. This would cause parents to become overly involved in parenting and to behave in a controlling manner. Curran blames the parents less than social media, which spread unrealistic ideals. "Parents have exaggerated expectations of their children because they rightly believe that society demands it," he says. However, they could help their children deal with it in a healthy way. For example, by helping them develop a sense of self-esteem that does not depend on external standards or validation by others.
