Abstract Since China’s accession to the WTO, the accelerated pace of modernization, which was characterized by rapid economic growth and profound societal transformations, has significantly intensified interpersonal competition. However, it remains unclear whether this swift development contributes to an increase in perfectionism, a personality trait closely linked to competition. Using studies identified through searches of CNKI, Wanfang, Web of Science, and Scopus, this study employs a cross-temporal meta-analytic approach, synthesizing 355 effect sizes from 74 studies ( N = 37,279), to systematically investigate trends in perfectionism and its core dimensions among mainland Chinese college students from 2002 to 2022. Key findings reveal a statistically significant upward trajectory in FMPS-assessed overall perfectionism levels and its two critical dimensions, namely, concern over mistakes and doubts about actions. Three key modernization indicators (divorce rate, per capita GDP, and urbanization rate) demonstrate significant positive correlations with perfectionism, while family size shows a negative correlation. These findings provide evidence elucidating the association between China’s rapid modernization and college students’ FMPS-assessed perfectionism and offer evidence-based references for policy formulation and psychological intervention practices.
Wang et al. (Mon,) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: