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Socially-Prescribed Perfectionism

Meaning

Socially-Prescribed Perfectionism is a psychological construct characterized by the belief that significant others, such as family, peers, or society, demand that one must be flawless and that this expectation is a prerequisite for acceptance or reward. This external pressure is a potent chronic stressor, leading to sustained activation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis and elevated circulating cortisol levels. Within hormonal health, this form of perfectionism is clinically significant as a risk factor for stress-related metabolic and endocrine dysregulation.