From Perfect to Alone: Examining the Connection Between Perfectionism and Loneliness Among Gen Z

Abstract

Gen Z has grown up in a world that’s very different from previous generations, with social media being a constant part of their lives. They also face more pressure in academic as well as social spheres to succeed in ways that were never as intense before. These factors can shape how they view themselves and their achievements, leading some to develop perfectionistic tendencies. These perfectionistic attitudes can have both positive effects, like motivating them to do well, and negative effects, like causing stress and unrealistic expectations. The current study looks at the connection between perfectionism and loneliness among Generation Z, a group that faces unique challenges in today’s competitive world. A purposive sample of 304 college students was selected. The Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS) and the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3) were employed to measure perfectionism and loneliness, respectively. The sample predominantly showed moderate to high levels of all three types of perfectionism (self-oriented, other-oriented, and socially prescribed), as well as corresponding levels of loneliness. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between all three dimensions of perfectionism and loneliness. Furthermore, an independent t-test showed no significant gender differences in either perfectionism or loneliness. These findings highlight how perfectionism can affect the mental health of young adults leading to increased feeling of loneliness, suggesting that it’s important to address both perfectionistic behaviors and loneliness when providing support for Gen Z.