Researchers at the London School of Economics and York St. John University have uncovered a troubling trend: perfectionism among young adults has been steadily increasing over the past three decades. A comprehensive analysis published by the American Psychological Association examined data from over 82,000 college students in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, spanning from 1989 to 2024. The findings reveal a consistent rise in self-reported perfectionism, indicating a generational shift in how young people perceive themselves and their achievements.
Three Types of Perfectionism
The study categorizes perfectionism into three distinct types: self-oriented, socially prescribed, and other-oriented. Self-oriented perfectionism involves an irrational desire to be perfect, while socially prescribed perfectionism refers to the perception that others expect flawlessness. Other-oriented perfectionism places unrealistic standards on those around you. All three types have increased, but socially prescribed perfectionism has seen the most dramatic rise—33% between 1989 and 2016. This form is also most strongly linked to serious mental health disorders, and the trend has continued upward since.
Fear of Failure Outpaces Ambition
Since the early 2000s, different aspects of perfectionism have grown at different rates. Perfectionistic concerns—such as fear of failure, indecisiveness, and fear of negative judgment—have risen much faster than perfectionistic strivings, which reflect motivation to set and meet high standards. This suggests that young people are not simply trying harder; they are increasingly driven by anxiety rather than pure ambition. The drive for success is often a mask for underlying fear.
Economic Factors Play a Key Role
While social media is often blamed for fueling perfectionism, the research points to deeper economic factors. Slowing GDP per capita was associated with higher perfectionistic striving, while rising economic inequality correlated with steeper increases in perfectionistic concerns. Lead author Thomas Curran, PhD, of the London School of Economics, explained: 'When there's a lack of economic opportunity, young people seem to compensate with striving. And when inequality grows, fear and worry about making mistakes and others' opinions become more central to young people's psychology.' The margin for error in life has genuinely shrunk, contributing to this psychological shift.
A Public Health Crisis
Curran has been clear about the implications: 'Perfectionism is a public health risk—it's associated with increased depression and anxiety. If we want to tackle the youth mental health crisis, we need to focus on these cultural and economic factors.' Traditionally, responses to perfectionism have been individual-focused, such as therapy and mindfulness. However, the pressure young adults feel is embedded in the systems around them—universities, job markets, and social structures that constantly convey that good enough is never enough. Addressing this issue requires systemic changes rather than solely individual interventions.
