The Relationship between Perfectionistic Self-Presentation and Loneliness of College Students: The mediating effect of internalized Shame and Self-silencing

Objectives In this study, we aimed to examine the relationship between perfectionistic self-presentation and loneliness among college students, and in the process, to explore the sequential mediating effects of internalized shame and self-silencing. Methods To achieve this, a nationwide survey targeting college students was conducted through a professional survey organization. Data from 244 respondents were analyzed after excluding six participants who provided unreliable responses. Descriptive statistics and correlational analysis among key variables were conducted for data analysis. To verify the mediating effects, SPSS and Hayes' (2013) PROCESS Macro were utilized, employing bootstrapping method to confirm the significance of the indirect effects. Results The results of this study include the followings. First, there were significant positive correlations among perfectionistic self-presentation, internalized shame, self-silencing, and loneliness among college students. Second, internalized shame was found to fully mediate the relationship between perfectionistic self-presentation and loneliness. Third, self-silencing was ofund to partially mediated the relationship between perfectionistic self- presentation and loneliness. Fourth, it was revealed that internalized shame and self-silencing sequentially mediated the relationship between perfectionistic self-presentation and loneliness. Conclusions These findings suggest that in counseling interventions targeting loneliness experienced by college students with high levels of perfectionistic self-presentation, it is important to incorporate both short-term therapeutic approaches to address self-silencing and long-term efforts to address shame. Together, these approaches can effectively facilitate the growth and change of clients over time.