Insecure attachment, perfectionistic self-presentation, and social disconnection in adolescents

The purpose of the present study was to investigate several components of the Perfectionism Social Disconnection Model (PSDM) by assessing the relationships among perfectionism, insecure attachment, and social disconnection in adolescents. This study examined perfectionistic self-presentation, attachment style, and experience of disconnection from social environment in a sample of 178 adolescents. Results indicated that perfectionistic self-presentation facets were significantly correlated with social disconnection and fearful attachment was associated with the nondisclosure of imperfection. Moreover, nondisclosure of imperfection partially mediated the relationship between fearful attachment and social disconnection. The current study is the first to examine the link between insecure attachment and perfectionistic self-presentation and provides some evidence supporting the PSDM.

► Perfectionistic self-presentation (PSP) is linked with disconnection in adolescents.
► PSP is significantly correlated with insecure attachment.
► Nondisclosure of imperfection mediates the fearful attachment–disconnection link.
► Insecure attachment generates PSP, which in turn, leads to social disconnection.