A recent eight-year study conducted by Brigham Young University (BYU) researchers has explored how perfectionism impacts young people’s mental health and religious beliefs, yielding unexpected results.
Investigating Perfectionism in Youth
Led by Dr. Justin Dyer, the research tracked individuals from ages 12 to 14 through early adulthood (20 to 22 years old). The study included a mix of youth from different religious backgrounds, with half identifying as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) and the other half representing various faiths and secular beliefs.
Perfectionism, as defined by scholars, involves a relentless drive for flawlessness, difficulty handling mistakes, and a tendency to be self-critical. Prior studies suggested that LDS members in Utah experience heightened levels of perfectionism, but the BYU study challenged this assumption.
Surprising Findings on Perfectionism
Data revealed that only 12% of LDS youth demonstrated high levels of perfectionism, whereas 20% of atheist and agnostic participants exhibited similar tendencies.
Dr. Dyer noted that Latter-day Saint teachings distinguish between high standards and unhealthy perfectionism.
“Perfectionism isn’t just about setting goals—it’s about how you perceive yourself when you fall short,” Dyer explained.
Interestingly, the group that struggled most with perfectionism was former LDS members, with 27% reporting strong perfectionist traits. Researchers suggested that these individuals may have already battled perfectionism before leaving their faith, rather than their disaffiliation causing an increase.
The Mental Health Connection
One form of religious perfectionism, known as scrupulosity, can cause individuals to feel an overwhelming fear of being morally or spiritually flawed. Morgan Dennis, an active LDS member, shared her experience with this issue, saying,
“For those struggling with toxic perfectionism, it can feel like you don’t deserve good things because of your flaws.”
Dyer emphasized that misinterpreting religious doctrine may contribute to this struggle.
“When people develop unhealthy perfectionist tendencies, they may be misunderstanding what their faith actually teaches,” he said.
Support and Healing
Recognizing the effects of toxic perfectionism, many faith-based and secular support groups have emerged to help individuals manage their struggles.
“Helping people understand that they are loved unconditionally—not for their achievements or failures, but for who they are—is essential,” Dennis said.
The study highlights the importance of self-compassion and a balanced perspective on personal growth, offering insights into how both religious and non-religious youth experience and manage perfectionism .
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