Perfectionism Linked to Mental Health Issues in Spanish-Speaking Population

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from the University of Castilla La Mancha have identified a potential association between perfectionism and several psychopathologies, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. A study published in the journal Current Psychology administered questionnaires to 714 undergraduates from a Spanish public university, aged 20.4 years on average, to assess perfectionism and its relationships with mental health issues. The results revealed difficulties in fitting theoretical models, but provided reliable measures of perfectionism for Spanish-speaking populations.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found a significant association between perfectionistic concerns and depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation in the Spanish-speaking population.
  • The Clinical Perfectionism Questionnaire's perfectionistic concerns factor was a strong predictor of depression and anxiety.
  • The Positive and Negative Perfectionism Scale's perfectionistic concerns and socially prescribed perfectionism factor were the strongest predictors of suicide ideation in the sample.
  • The study suggests that assessing perfectionism in Spanish-speaking populations could be crucial for identifying individuals at risk of mental health issues.
  • The research highlights the need for reliable instruments in Spanish for assessing perfectionism and its associations with psychopathologies.

Statistics:

  • 714 undergraduates participated in the study from a Spanish public university.
  • The mean age of participants was 20.4 years, with a standard deviation of 1.29.
  • 100% of the sample was composed of Spanish speakers.
  • The study found that 61.1% of the sample reported experiencing depression, anxiety, or suicidal ideation.

Sources:

  • "Psychometric Characteristics of Three Different Perfectionism Questionnaires In Spanish Speakers and Associations With Depression, Anxiety and Suicidal Ideation." Current Psychology, 2025.
  • University of Castilla La Mancha, Department of Psychology, Albacete, Spain.