Unpacking Perfectionism in the Social Media Context: Dimensional Structure and Nomological Placement

Abstract

Social media (SM) platforms have become an integral part of many individuals' daily lives, yet concerns persist regarding their influence on self-perception and behavior. Research suggests that social comparisons and peer expectations can foster excessively high standards that individuals impose on themselves and others. To address this, we introduce an SM–specific conceptualization of perfectionism, characterized by users’ intense pursuit of flawlessness in their online presence and the evaluative judgments of others. This paper highlights the multidimensional nature of SM perfectionism and presents findings from the validation of a measurement instrument, the Social Media Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (SM-MPS). We examine the relationships between SM perfectionism and theoretically relevant constructs to establish its position within a broader nomological network. In doing so, we evaluate the predictive validity of SM perfectionism and further distinguish its dimensions, laying the groundwork for future research on the antecedents and consequences of SM perfectionism.