The Relationship between Perfectionism and Sexual Function: A Systematic Review
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Abstract
Objective: Perfectaionism is a common personality trait that can affect various aspects of life, especially sexual relationships. The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize the existing evidence for the relationship between perfectionism and sexual function in studies conducted in Iran and the world.
Method: A comprehensive search of databases such as Scopus, PubMed, Cochrane, Science Direct, ProQuest, PsychINFO, IranPsych, Irandoc, SID, and Google Scholar search engine was performed until December 2021 without a time limit. To find studies, we searched for the keywords perfectionism and sexual function in both Persian and English and combined these words with the AND operator. Studies that scored above 15 according to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) criteria were included. Data analysis was performed qualitatively.
Results: From the total of 878 articles found in databases, six articles met the inclusion criteria and had moderate quality. Reviewing studies corroborated that, notwithstanding the positive association between general/sexual perfectionism and sexual desire, specific dimensions such as socially prescribed perfectionism, partner-prescribed, and socially prescribed sexual perfectionism, have the utmost unfavorable effect on female sexual function, which means that a higher level of perfectionism ultimately decreases the rate of sexual function in women. In addition, studies suggested that by increasing sexual anxiety and distress levels, perfectionism deteriorates sexual function.
Conclusion: Perfectionism may cause a variety of problems regarding sexual function. However, to clarify the precise role of each dimension of perfectionism on different areas of sexual function, more research must be conducted in this area in various communities and on age groups other than females of reproductive ages.
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2. Brotto L, Atallah S, Johnson-Agbakwu C, Rosenbaum T, Abdo C, Byers ES, et al. Psychological and Interpersonal Dimensions of Sexual Function and Dysfunction. J Sex Med. 2016;13(4):538-71.
3. Fourcroy JL. Female sexual dysfunction: potential for pharmacotherapy. Drugs. 2003;63(14):1445-57.
4. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-IV. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association, 1994.
5. Basson R, Berman J, Burnett A, Derogatis L, Ferguson D, Fourcroy J, et al. Report of the international consensus development conference on female sexual dysfunction: definitions and classifications. J Urol. 2000;163(3):888-93.
6. Frost RO, Marten P, Lahart C, Rosenblate R. The dimensions of perfectionism. Cognit Ther Res. 1990;14(5):449–68.
7. Flett GL, Hewitt PL. Perfectionism and maladjustment: An Overview of Theoretical, Definitional, and Treatment Issues. J Psychopathol Clin Sci. 2002:5–31.
8. Hewitt PL, Flett GL, Mikail SF. Perfectionism: A relational approach to conceptualization, assessment, and treatment. Perfectionism: A relational approach to conceptualization, assessment, and treatment. Guilford Publications. 2017:336.
9. Hewitt PL, Flett GL. Perfectionism in the self and social contexts: conceptualization, assessment, and association with psychopathology. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1991;60(3):456-470.
10. Smith MM, Sherry SB, Chen S, Saklofske DH, Mushquash C, Flett GL, et al. The perniciousness of perfectionism: A meta-analytic review of the perfectionism-suicide relationship. J Pers. 2018;86(3):522-42.
11. Smith MM, Sherry SB, Rnic K, Saklofske DH, Enns M, Gralnick T. Are perfectionism dimensions vulnerability factors for depressive symptoms after controlling for neuroticism? A meta‐analysis of 10 longitudinal studies. Eur J Pers. 2016;30(2):201-12.
12. Bieling PJ, Israeli AL, Antony MM. Is perfectionism good, bad, or both? Examining models of the perfectionism construct. Pers Individ Dif. 2004;36(6):1373-85.
13. Hewitt PL, Flett GL. Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS): Technical manual. Toronto, Canada: Multi-Health Systems. 2004.
14. Stoeber J, Stoeber FS. Domains of perfectionism: Prevalence and relationships with perfectionism, gender, age, and satisfaction with life. Pers Individ Dif. 2009;46(4):530-5.
15. Snell Jr WE, Rigdon KL. Chapter 15: The multidimensional sexual perfectionism questionnaire: Preliminary evidence for reliability and validity. New directions in the psychology of human sexuality: Research and theory. Cape Giradeau, MO: Snell Publications. Retrieved from http://cstl-cla. semo. edu/wesnell/books/sexuality/chap15. htm. 2001.
16. Quadland MC. Private self-consciousness, attribution of responsibility, and perfectionistic thinking in secondary erecticle dysfunction. J Sex Marital Ther. 1980;6(1):47-55.
17. Stoeber J, Harvey LN, Almeida I, Lyons E. Multidimensional sexual perfectionism. Arch Sex Behav. 2013;42(8):1593-604.
18. Kluck AS, Zhuzha K, Hughes K. Sexual Perfectionism in Women: Not as Simple as Adaptive or Maladaptive. Arch Sex Behav. 2016;45(8):2015-27.
19. Habke AM, Hewitt PL, Flett GL. Perfectionism and sexual satisfaction in intimate relationships. J Psychopathol Behav Assess. 1999;21(4):307-22.
20. Masters WH, Johnson VE. Premature ejaculation. Human sexual inadequacy. Boston: Little, Brown. 1970:92–115.
21. Aubin S, Heiman JR. Sexual dysfunction from a relationship perspective. In: The handbook of sexuality in close relationships. Psychology Press; 2004:487–28.
22. Rowland DL, Strassberg DS, de Gouveia Brazao CA, Slob AK. Ejaculatory latency and control in men with premature ejaculation: an analysis across sexual activities using multiple sources of information. J Psychosom Res. 2000;48(1):69-77.
23. Rowland DL, Van Lankveld JJ. Anxiety and performance in sex, sport, and stage: Identifying common ground. Front Psychol. 2019;10(1):1615-36.
24. Moher D, Shamseer L, Clarke M, Ghersi D, Liberati A, Petticrew M, et al. Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015 statement. Syst Rev. 2015;4(1):1.
25. von Elm E, Altman DG, Egger M, Pocock SJ, Gøtzsche PC, Vandenbroucke JP. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) Statement: guidelines for reporting observational studies. Int J Surg. 2014;12(12):1495-9.
26. Balochi, H., Hadizadeh Talasaz, F., Bahri, N. Donors’ Satisfaction with Egg Donation and Willingness to Re-donation: A Systematic Review Article. Iran. J. Obstet. Gynecol. Infertil. 2020; 23(9): 85-94.
27. Lam NC, Hewitt P. Testing the Role of Perfectionism in Attachment Style and Sexual Functioning in Women. Undergrad J Psychol. 2018;5:27.
28. Grauvogl A, Pelzer B, Radder V, van Lankveld J. Associations Between Personality Disorder Characteristics, Psychological Symptoms, and Sexual Functioning in Young Women. J Sex Med. 2018;15(2):192-200.
29. Aghamohammdian Sharbaf HR, Zarezade Kheibari S, Horouf Ghanad M, Hokm Abadi ME. The relationship between perfectionism and sexual function in infertile women. Iran J Obstet Gynecol Infertil lity. 2014;17(97):9-17.
30. Dunkley CR, Gorzalka BB, Brotto LA. Associations Between Sexual Function and Disordered Eating Among Undergraduate Women: An Emphasis on Sexual Pain and Distress. J Sex Marital Ther. 2020;46(1):18-34.
31. Stoeber J, Harvey LN. Multidimensional Sexual Perfectionism and Female Sexual Function: A Longitudinal Investigation. Arch Sex Behav. 2016;45(8):2003-14.
32. Totonchi M, Hassan S. Perfectionism and dyadic relationship: A systematic review. Int J Acad Res Bus Soc Sci. 2018;7(14):472-85.
33. Snell Jr WE. Sexual perfectionism among single sexually experienced females. In: meeting of the Southwestern Psychological Association, Houston, TX. 1996. p. 1–12.
34. Ellis A. The role of irrational beliefs in perfectionism. Psychology. 2002:158–73.
35. Stoeber J, Otto K. Positive conceptions of perfectionism: approaches, evidence, challenges. Pers Soc Psychol Rev. 2006;10(4):295-319.
36. Rahimi F, Atashpour H, Golparvar M. Predicting divorce tendency based on need to love and survival, sexual awareness and sexual perfectionism in couples divorce applicant. Sci J Soc Psychol. 2020;8(55):113–22.
37. Wiederman MW. “Don’t look now”: The role of self-focus in sexual dysfunction. Fam J. 2001;9(2):210-6.
38. McCabe MP. The role of performance anxiety in the development and maintenance of sexual dysfunction in men and women. Int J Stress Manag. 2005;12(4):379-88.
39. Stoeber J. Dyadic perfectionism in romantic relationships: Predicting relationship satisfaction and longterm commitment. Pers Indiv Differ. 2012;53(3):300-5.
40. Simons JS, Carey MP. Prevalence of sexual dysfunctions: results from a decade of research. Arch Sex Behav. 2001;30(2):177-219.
41. Rosen R, Brown C, Heiman J, Leiblum S, Meston C, Shabsigh R, et al. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI): a multidimensional self-report instrument for the assessment of female sexual function. J Sex Marital Ther. 2000;26(2):191-208.
42. Basson R. Women's sexual dysfunction: revised and expanded definitions. Cmaj. 2005;172(10):1327-33.
43. Quinn-Nilas C. Relationship and sexual satisfaction: A developmental perspective on bidirectionality. J Soc Pers Relat. 2020;37(2):624-46.
44. Martin JL, Ashby JS. Perfectionism and fear of intimacy: Implications for relationships. The Family Journal. 2004;12(4):368-74.
45. DiBartolo PM, Barlow DH. Perfectionism, marital satisfaction, and contributing factors to sexual dysfunction in men with erectile disorder and their spouses. Arch Sex Behav. 1996;25(6):581-8.
46. Palha-Fernandes E, Alves P, Lourenço M. Sexual satisfaction determinants and its relation with perfectionism: A cross-sectional study in an academic community. Sex Relation Ther. 2022;37(1):100-14.
47. Nazari S, Abolmaali K. The review of relationship between perfectionism (positive and negative) and self-esteem in predicting sexual satisfaction among married women. Iran J Nurs Res. 2015;28(95):11-21.
48. Althof SE, Leiblum SR, Chevret-Measson M, Hartmann U, Levine SB, McCabe M, et al. Psychological and interpersonal dimensions of sexual function and dysfunction. J Sex Med. 2005;2(6):793-800.
49. Hewitt PL, Flett GL. Perfectionism and stress processes in psychopathology. 2002.
50. Hewitt P, Flynn C, Mikail S, Flett G. Perfectionism, interpersonal problems, and depression in psychodynamic/interpersonal group treatment. Can Psychol. 2001;42(1):141-50.
2. Brotto L, Atallah S, Johnson-Agbakwu C, Rosenbaum T, Abdo C, Byers ES, et al. Psychological and Interpersonal Dimensions of Sexual Function and Dysfunction. J Sex Med. 2016;13(4):538-71.
3. Fourcroy JL. Female sexual dysfunction: potential for pharmacotherapy. Drugs. 2003;63(14):1445-57.
4. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-IV. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association, 1994.
5. Basson R, Berman J, Burnett A, Derogatis L, Ferguson D, Fourcroy J, et al. Report of the international consensus development conference on female sexual dysfunction: definitions and classifications. J Urol. 2000;163(3):888-93.
6. Frost RO, Marten P, Lahart C, Rosenblate R. The dimensions of perfectionism. Cognit Ther Res. 1990;14(5):449–68.
7. Flett GL, Hewitt PL. Perfectionism and maladjustment: An Overview of Theoretical, Definitional, and Treatment Issues. J Psychopathol Clin Sci. 2002:5–31.
8. Hewitt PL, Flett GL, Mikail SF. Perfectionism: A relational approach to conceptualization, assessment, and treatment. Perfectionism: A relational approach to conceptualization, assessment, and treatment. Guilford Publications. 2017:336.
9. Hewitt PL, Flett GL. Perfectionism in the self and social contexts: conceptualization, assessment, and association with psychopathology. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1991;60(3):456-470.
10. Smith MM, Sherry SB, Chen S, Saklofske DH, Mushquash C, Flett GL, et al. The perniciousness of perfectionism: A meta-analytic review of the perfectionism-suicide relationship. J Pers. 2018;86(3):522-42.
11. Smith MM, Sherry SB, Rnic K, Saklofske DH, Enns M, Gralnick T. Are perfectionism dimensions vulnerability factors for depressive symptoms after controlling for neuroticism? A meta‐analysis of 10 longitudinal studies. Eur J Pers. 2016;30(2):201-12.
12. Bieling PJ, Israeli AL, Antony MM. Is perfectionism good, bad, or both? Examining models of the perfectionism construct. Pers Individ Dif. 2004;36(6):1373-85.
13. Hewitt PL, Flett GL. Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS): Technical manual. Toronto, Canada: Multi-Health Systems. 2004.
14. Stoeber J, Stoeber FS. Domains of perfectionism: Prevalence and relationships with perfectionism, gender, age, and satisfaction with life. Pers Individ Dif. 2009;46(4):530-5.
15. Snell Jr WE, Rigdon KL. Chapter 15: The multidimensional sexual perfectionism questionnaire: Preliminary evidence for reliability and validity. New directions in the psychology of human sexuality: Research and theory. Cape Giradeau, MO: Snell Publications. Retrieved from http://cstl-cla. semo. edu/wesnell/books/sexuality/chap15. htm. 2001.
16. Quadland MC. Private self-consciousness, attribution of responsibility, and perfectionistic thinking in secondary erecticle dysfunction. J Sex Marital Ther. 1980;6(1):47-55.
17. Stoeber J, Harvey LN, Almeida I, Lyons E. Multidimensional sexual perfectionism. Arch Sex Behav. 2013;42(8):1593-604.
18. Kluck AS, Zhuzha K, Hughes K. Sexual Perfectionism in Women: Not as Simple as Adaptive or Maladaptive. Arch Sex Behav. 2016;45(8):2015-27.
19. Habke AM, Hewitt PL, Flett GL. Perfectionism and sexual satisfaction in intimate relationships. J Psychopathol Behav Assess. 1999;21(4):307-22.
20. Masters WH, Johnson VE. Premature ejaculation. Human sexual inadequacy. Boston: Little, Brown. 1970:92–115.
21. Aubin S, Heiman JR. Sexual dysfunction from a relationship perspective. In: The handbook of sexuality in close relationships. Psychology Press; 2004:487–28.
22. Rowland DL, Strassberg DS, de Gouveia Brazao CA, Slob AK. Ejaculatory latency and control in men with premature ejaculation: an analysis across sexual activities using multiple sources of information. J Psychosom Res. 2000;48(1):69-77.
23. Rowland DL, Van Lankveld JJ. Anxiety and performance in sex, sport, and stage: Identifying common ground. Front Psychol. 2019;10(1):1615-36.
24. Moher D, Shamseer L, Clarke M, Ghersi D, Liberati A, Petticrew M, et al. Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015 statement. Syst Rev. 2015;4(1):1.
25. von Elm E, Altman DG, Egger M, Pocock SJ, Gøtzsche PC, Vandenbroucke JP. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) Statement: guidelines for reporting observational studies. Int J Surg. 2014;12(12):1495-9.
26. Balochi, H., Hadizadeh Talasaz, F., Bahri, N. Donors’ Satisfaction with Egg Donation and Willingness to Re-donation: A Systematic Review Article. Iran. J. Obstet. Gynecol. Infertil. 2020; 23(9): 85-94.
27. Lam NC, Hewitt P. Testing the Role of Perfectionism in Attachment Style and Sexual Functioning in Women. Undergrad J Psychol. 2018;5:27.
28. Grauvogl A, Pelzer B, Radder V, van Lankveld J. Associations Between Personality Disorder Characteristics, Psychological Symptoms, and Sexual Functioning in Young Women. J Sex Med. 2018;15(2):192-200.
29. Aghamohammdian Sharbaf HR, Zarezade Kheibari S, Horouf Ghanad M, Hokm Abadi ME. The relationship between perfectionism and sexual function in infertile women. Iran J Obstet Gynecol Infertil lity. 2014;17(97):9-17.
30. Dunkley CR, Gorzalka BB, Brotto LA. Associations Between Sexual Function and Disordered Eating Among Undergraduate Women: An Emphasis on Sexual Pain and Distress. J Sex Marital Ther. 2020;46(1):18-34.
31. Stoeber J, Harvey LN. Multidimensional Sexual Perfectionism and Female Sexual Function: A Longitudinal Investigation. Arch Sex Behav. 2016;45(8):2003-14.
32. Totonchi M, Hassan S. Perfectionism and dyadic relationship: A systematic review. Int J Acad Res Bus Soc Sci. 2018;7(14):472-85.
33. Snell Jr WE. Sexual perfectionism among single sexually experienced females. In: meeting of the Southwestern Psychological Association, Houston, TX. 1996. p. 1–12.
34. Ellis A. The role of irrational beliefs in perfectionism. Psychology. 2002:158–73.
35. Stoeber J, Otto K. Positive conceptions of perfectionism: approaches, evidence, challenges. Pers Soc Psychol Rev. 2006;10(4):295-319.
36. Rahimi F, Atashpour H, Golparvar M. Predicting divorce tendency based on need to love and survival, sexual awareness and sexual perfectionism in couples divorce applicant. Sci J Soc Psychol. 2020;8(55):113–22.
37. Wiederman MW. “Don’t look now”: The role of self-focus in sexual dysfunction. Fam J. 2001;9(2):210-6.
38. McCabe MP. The role of performance anxiety in the development and maintenance of sexual dysfunction in men and women. Int J Stress Manag. 2005;12(4):379-88.
39. Stoeber J. Dyadic perfectionism in romantic relationships: Predicting relationship satisfaction and longterm commitment. Pers Indiv Differ. 2012;53(3):300-5.
40. Simons JS, Carey MP. Prevalence of sexual dysfunctions: results from a decade of research. Arch Sex Behav. 2001;30(2):177-219.
41. Rosen R, Brown C, Heiman J, Leiblum S, Meston C, Shabsigh R, et al. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI): a multidimensional self-report instrument for the assessment of female sexual function. J Sex Marital Ther. 2000;26(2):191-208.
42. Basson R. Women's sexual dysfunction: revised and expanded definitions. Cmaj. 2005;172(10):1327-33.
43. Quinn-Nilas C. Relationship and sexual satisfaction: A developmental perspective on bidirectionality. J Soc Pers Relat. 2020;37(2):624-46.
44. Martin JL, Ashby JS. Perfectionism and fear of intimacy: Implications for relationships. The Family Journal. 2004;12(4):368-74.
45. DiBartolo PM, Barlow DH. Perfectionism, marital satisfaction, and contributing factors to sexual dysfunction in men with erectile disorder and their spouses. Arch Sex Behav. 1996;25(6):581-8.
46. Palha-Fernandes E, Alves P, Lourenço M. Sexual satisfaction determinants and its relation with perfectionism: A cross-sectional study in an academic community. Sex Relation Ther. 2022;37(1):100-14.
47. Nazari S, Abolmaali K. The review of relationship between perfectionism (positive and negative) and self-esteem in predicting sexual satisfaction among married women. Iran J Nurs Res. 2015;28(95):11-21.
48. Althof SE, Leiblum SR, Chevret-Measson M, Hartmann U, Levine SB, McCabe M, et al. Psychological and interpersonal dimensions of sexual function and dysfunction. J Sex Med. 2005;2(6):793-800.
49. Hewitt PL, Flett GL. Perfectionism and stress processes in psychopathology. 2002.
50. Hewitt P, Flynn C, Mikail S, Flett G. Perfectionism, interpersonal problems, and depression in psychodynamic/interpersonal group treatment. Can Psychol. 2001;42(1):141-50.
| Files | ||
| Issue | Vol 18 No 1 (2023) | |
| Section | Review Article(s) | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.18502/ijps.v18i1.11416 | |
| Keywords | ||
| Perfectionism Sexuality Sexual Behavior Sexual Activity Systematic Review | ||
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How to Cite
1.
Hosseini F, Hadizadeh-Talasaz F, Bahri N. The Relationship between Perfectionism and Sexual Function: A Systematic Review. Iran J Psychiatry. 2022;18(1):83-92.
