Researchers warned Tuesday that rising perfectionism among young people is driving measurable increases in anxiety, depression and academic burnout across schools and universities. A meta-analysis of 82,939 students, published in Psychological Bulletin, found that socially prescribed perfectionism—the belief that others demand flawlessness—has climbed steadily among students in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada.

The reviewing psychologists said the pattern correlated with worsening clinical mental health outcomes among adolescents and college-age cohorts. The findings echo earlier work by Thomas Curran and Andrew Hill, whose research on generational increases in perfectionism has shaped the field.

The authors pointed to social media comparison, competitive admissions and labour-market anxiety as plausible drivers, though they stressed that the data establish association rather than direct causation. Mental health clinicians and school counsellors said the analysis strengthened the case for embedding resilience and self-compassion programmes into curricula.

The American Psychological Association has previously flagged adolescent mental health as a national priority. The review's authors called for targeted screening in secondary and higher education settings, as schools in Nashville and other US districts report rising perfectionism among pupils, adding urgency to debates over academic pressure and student wellbeing.