Striving for perfection could impact well-being of gifted youth

High school students, particularly those identified as gifted, may experience heightened levels of perfectionism according to a study published in Gifted Child Quarterly by researchers from the University of Georgia. Gifted students are typically recognized in elementary school for their academic prowess and are often placed in advanced courses throughout their K–12 education.

The study discovered that high school gifted students exhibit a greater propensity for perfectionism than their younger peers, with this drive being largely self-imposed.

While perfectionism is often viewed positively due to the high standards it sets, it can become problematic when students cannot meet these expectations. Researchers analyzed responses from nearly 2,000 middle and high school students across two separate studies. The first study included 1,182 students from both gifted programs and non-gifted programs, with gifted high school students demonstrating higher identification with perfectionist statements.

These students were more likely to report feelings of needing to work harder and being expected to be perfect on a daily basis.

The researchers found that high school intensifies students' feelings of needing to be perfect, as increased academic expectations, AP courses, GPA tracking, and looming college decisions amplify these tendencies. Gifted students were more likely to identify with self-oriented perfectionism, often attributing their drive to succeed to themselves.

This self-motivation was associated with stronger relationships with teachers, peers, and the school environment, whereas socially imposed perfectionism predicted isolation, poorer adjustment, and potential anxiety or depressive symptoms. Thus, while high standards are not inherently detrimental, linking self-worth to these standards can lead to harmful outcomes such as anxiety or depression when perfection is not achieved.