The Transdiagnostic Role of Perfectionism: Insights From Longitudinal Network Analyses in a Sample of College-Age Women.

Perfectionism has been proposed as a transdiagnostic risk factor, preceding symptoms of psychopathology. However, further research is required to understand how perfectionism functions as a transdiagnostic process across a range of psychological disorders. This study used a network approach in a longitudinal design which assessed both dimensions of perfectionism (perfectionistic strivings and perfectionistic concerns) and symptoms of various disorders (obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, anxiety, depression). Participants (N = 447; female community sample aged 18-30) completed online surveys at baseline and 6-month follow-up, including measures of perfectionism and psychopathology. To disentangle temporal dynamics between these variables, we estimated both separate cross-sectional networks for baseline and follow-up as well as a longitudinal (cross-lagged) network across time. In terms of cross-sectional results, perfectionistic strivings displayed low centrality in our networks. Conversely, perfectionistic concerns shared strong associations with all symptom clusters and emerged as a central bridge variable. Perfectionistic concerns shared its strongest connection with low self-worth. Longitudinal results could not be interpreted due to insufficient stability. Results were limited by very little variation of variables over time. Final centrality measures may be biased due to a disproportionate amount of eating disorder variables. Findings underscore the transdiagnostic role of perfectionistic concerns in psychological symptoms. However, no conclusions regarding temporal dynamics or causality can be drawn.