{"id":34497,"date":"2020-04-22T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-04-22T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/researchdev\/2020\/04\/22\/in-a-covid-19-world-are-we-headed-for-a-perfectionism-pandemic-2\/"},"modified":"2025-01-30T09:54:46","modified_gmt":"2025-01-30T14:54:46","slug":"in-a-covid-19-world-are-we-headed-for-a-perfectionism-pandemic-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/research\/2020\/04\/22\/in-a-covid-19-world-are-we-headed-for-a-perfectionism-pandemic-2\/","title":{"rendered":"In a COVID-19 world: Are we headed for a \u2018perfectionism pandemic\u2019?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Researchers sound the alarm over\u00a0<\/em>perfectionism, work, and burnout during the pandemic<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>TORONTO, April 21, 2020 \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0The increasing physical and social isolation prescribed to stop the spread of COVID-19, and the disruption to daily routines, are exacerbating already high levels of stress and complex psychological problems found among vulnerable perfectionists, according to a new commentary and analysis led by York University Psychology\u00a0Professor Gordon Flett<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Perfectionists may become even more perfectionistic during the pandemic in response to their need to try to regain a sense of control in their lives, says Flett, a professor in York University\u2019s Faculty of Health and the Canada Research Chair in Personality and Health. In the first full analysis of how perfectionists are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Flett, and co-author Paul. L. Hewitt, Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia, explain why perfectionism could become even worse, especially for people who had pre-existing milder forms of perfectionism.<\/p>\n

The Perfectionism Pandemic Meets COVID-19: Understanding the Stress, Distress, and Problems in Living For Perfectionists During the Global Health Crisis,\u00a0<\/em>was published today in\u00a0The Journal of Concurrent Disorders<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Flett defines the \u2018perfectionism pandemic\u2019 as the widespread and growing prevalence of perfectionism, based on research showing that at least one out of three young people have some form of dysfunctional perfectionism, and there is a rising tide of perfectionism. The 27-page commentary explains why this global health crisis can be categorized as a biographical disruption for perfectionists. Researchers reviewed current research to explain why those working from home, workers on front lines and even youth, who are vulnerable perfectionists, may find it exceptionally difficult to cope with loneliness and separation anxiety. The pandemic also adds to the sense of isolation and aloneness of people who have been struggling with the pressures of being perfect, says Flett.<\/p>\n