2019/01/06 by Martin M. Smith, Simon Sherry, Vanja Vidovic +3 · 3 citations
Psychology · Social Sciences · Medicine · #Perfectionism, Procrastination, Anxiety Studies #Work-Family Balance Challenges #Workaholism, burnout, and well-being #Perfectionism (psychology) #Conscientiousness #Psychology #Agreeableness #Neuroticism #Facet (psychology) #Personality #Big Five personality traits #Extraversion and introversion #Meta-analysis #Clinical psychology #Social psychology #Medicine
paper · doi:10.1177/1088868318814973
openalex publication_date 2019/01/06 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
Over 25 years of research suggests an important link between perfectionism and personality traits included in the five-factor model (FFM). However, inconsistent findings, underpowered studies, and a plethora of perfectionism scales have obscured understanding of how perfectionism fits within the FFM. We addressed these limitations by conducting the first meta-analytic review of the relationships between perfectionism dimensions and FFM traits ( k = 77, N = 24,789). Meta-analysis with random effects revealed perfectionistic concerns (socially prescribed perfectionism, concern over mistakes, doubts about actions, and discrepancy) were characterized by neuroticism ([Formula: see text] = .50), low agreeableness ([Formula: see text] = −.26), and low extraversion ([Formula: see text] = −.24); perfectionistic strivings (self-oriented perfectionism, personal standards, and high standards) were characterized by conscientiousness ([Formula: see text] = .44). Additionally, several perfectionism–FFM relationships were moderated by gender, age, and the perfectionism subscale used. Findings complement theory suggesting that perfectionism has neurotic and non-neurotic dimensions. Results also underscore that the (mal)adaptiveness of perfectionistic strivings hinges on instrumentation.