Under pressure: Socially prescribed perfectionism, social evaluation, and stress in middle and late adolescence

Adolescence is a developmental period characterized by stressful life transitions and changes in social environments. Research indicates that socially prescribed perfectionism is a mental health risk factor. This study examines the relationship between socially prescribed perfectionism, daily stress, and acute social stress in middle and late adolescence, drawing developmental comparisons between these stages. We also explore social processing factors that help explain the relationship between socially prescribed perfectionism and stress. Finally, we examine self-oriented perfectionism to see if observed associations are unique to the socially prescribed subtype. A sample of predominantly White middle adolescents (N = 59, mean age = 15.3) and older adolescents (N = 58, mean age = 19.6) was recruited from the United States. Participants reported their socially prescribed and self-oriented perfectionism tendencies, social self-esteem, rejection sensitivity, and daily stress. Then they completed the Trier Social Stress Task (TSST). Salivary cortisol samples were obtained before the task, during, and at two recovery points. Participants also reported their perceived TSST-induced stress. Socially prescribed perfectionism, but not self-oriented perfectionism, was associated with higher daily stress in both age groups. Among middle adolescents, TSST cortisol reactivity was lower for those high in socially prescribed perfectionism. Older adolescents high in socially prescribed perfectionism had higher perceived TSST stress. Social self-esteem was lower among socially prescribed perfectionists in both groups, and rejection sensitivity was higher among socially prescribed perfectionists in middle adolescence only. Social self-esteem mediated the relationship between socially prescribed perfectionism and daily stress. Overall, socially prescribed perfectionism is a vulnerability factor for stress in adolescence, and social self-esteem plays a role in this relationship.