I recently found this article on the KSL website regarding the title of this blog. Following is a copy of the article:
ARTICLE BEGINS:
OREM — Striving for perfection may be driving some female members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to depression, one researcher says.
Utah Valley University professor Kris Doty looked at depression among LDS women, finding that "toxic perfectionism" was one major factor of depression reported by the group.
The other four factors, Doty found, were genetics, history of abuse, family relationships and feeling judged by others.
Deseret News:
UVU professor's study puts focus on LDS women and depressionLDS women in Utah are at risk for depression due to "toxic perfectionism" and a host of other cultural factors, according to a recent study presented at Utah Valley University Thursday.
Over a one-year period, Doty and her colleagues looked at clinically diagnosed depressed women who identified as LDS. Seven of the women were using multiple medications to treat their depression, 19 were on only one medication and 10 had participated in therapy.
Women in the study said the church's teachings about perfection led to painful misinterpretations wherein many women believed they could not make mistakes. This belief, Doty said, caused them to "become hyper-competitive and anxious."
At a symposium on the topic Thursday, study participants said church leaders were reminding women — especially mothers — that they are not required to be perfect.
ARTICLE ENDS
Please respond to the any of the following questions.
What are your thoughts about this article and the professors findings?
What aspects of Utah culture or LDS culture (not doctrine) do you think contributes to this finding? I make a distinction between LDS culture and doctrine because I do not believe that the doctrine itself is a contributing factor.
Do you know of individuals that fall under this professor's description?
And any other issues you would like to bring up under this topic.
Have fun blogging!!
To start off,I do think that this is a real problem for girls (and for some boys) in this culture we live in, here in Utah. I think this because girls are more inclined to feel the need to be perfect, whatever 'perfect' may be in their perspective. Perfect could be viewed as 'top model' status, or completely good in nature. As a girl myself, I do find myself looking down on myself thinking how much more I 'should be' 'better'. Now, 'better' could mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people, that's the thing- "beauty totally depends on the beholder". So then I think, "Why do we try to look so good, when our 'looking good' could be completely ugly to someone else?" Whether it the physical appearance of a person or the social (the inside) appearance of a person. This is where being perfect may not be a win-win situation! Get my drift? These are just a few of my thoughts on the article and subject given.
ReplyDelete(But going on)-
I like how at the end of the article "church leaders were reminding women...that they are not required to be perfect." I think that us girls (and boys) do need to be reminded of that, that we aren't expected to BE perfect, but more like just trying to be would suffice; and when I say 'perfect', I think it better to say 'good in nature and/or intentions', that is what, I am positive, the LDS culture is trying to state.
Hey! I just thought of something. This article could totally have been written by someone with at least a little smigget of a belief in the Sociocultural (I apologize if I had spelled that wrong) school of Psychology.
Alrighty now, with my having all that being said, I'll have to stop myself. I could probably go on and on... but I'd like to give your scrolling finger a sooner relief. /D
-Yuki Miyazawa
In today's world i do believe that many women are inclined that they need to be perfect, even though there is no one thing that is perfect. Striving for perfect i believe especially occurs in a society where everyone has similar standards and beliefs we seem to try to 'one up' each other. we try to be better than one another with out even trying. i believe that some women try to hide there depression by trying harder for perfection, which in reality leads to more depression in a sense. perfect is not possible so we should all just stop trying... joking... sorta.
ReplyDelete-McKenzie Bushnell
I think that women are striving for something impossible. I say impossible because you cannot satisfy yourself and the people around you at the same time. There must be a sacrifice made in order to have 'perfection'. I think the women chose to try to please the world and not themselves. They became sad and depressed because they think they are incapable of 'perfection', since the opinion of the world change so frequently. Also, the women are misinterpreting the message their LDS leaders are trying to send. The women must look at the message another way in order for them to live a lifestyle that is possible and that can potentially change their state of mind. The women must please themselves and not those around them. Acceptance with themselves will hopefully reverse their depression. -Andrea Davila
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI mostly agree with the article. Many women are too perfectionist. They fear that if they make mistakes they are failing themselves and others. Also, I feel like these women will feel judged by other if they make mistakes so they try very hard to be perfect. Having this constant fear of imperfection, i believe, leads into feelings of anxiety. I also feel that if these women make mistakes or aren't perfect in all aspects, it lower their self esteem and their self worth which causes them to become depressed. It seems to me that this is even more true in LDS women since they might feel that they have to be the perfect role model for the rest of the world. However, I also understand that not all depression is linked to the high expectations people set for themselves. As the article states, depression is also linked to genetics, history of abuse, family relationships and the fear of being judged. Depression, in LDS women especially, is not always linked to their need to be perfect.
ReplyDeleteI think it is true. I know a lot of people feel huge pressure to be perfect. Although the church tries to tell the members not to judge, there's no stopping it. In Orem where the predominant religion is LDS, anyone who goes against their beliefs stand out. This is not always a bad thing, but it is always noticeable. People are so overly friendly here that they tend to nose in other peoples business with only good intentions. No one in the church in my experience has gone out of their way to make someone else feel uncomfortable about their shortcomings. However, in a place where everyone puts on their absolute best face for the public, if you fall short you will feel inadequate. In conclusion, I think the hugely religious culture could be part of the cause for depression, but in the end you choose for yourself how you feel with your own self-confidence. -Kyla Redd
ReplyDeleteThis is a topic that I think applies not only to just women in the LDS church but I think to everyone in the world. Society has created an image of perfection, or what is cool, or what is attractive, and I think we all are taught and expected to conform to that idea. I always admired the people who didn't conform, the people who wore whatever they wanted cause they didn't care if they fit into the 'cool' category or not. I think we should all try to be like those people, and we will all be happier and we will save hundreds of dollars by allowing ourselves to be okay with the less expensive things that maybe don't fit the standard of society.
ReplyDeleteI think all women deep down try to use themselves and their acts to determine what "perfect" is. They don't want the world to know their problems or insecurities. Little by little they start worrying more about the little imperfections they have and try to fix them, which leads to stress and anxiety, or to freak out when any little thing is not in place. Everyone has their own definition of perfect and no matter what that's what they will always look at and make themselves feel bad. I feel like LDS women are very pressured to be "perfect" because that's what they feel like they are being asked to do, not only that but they observe other women like themselves and feel like they should just be as good, or better than that. It leads them to a low self-esteem which makes them think that they don't have much capacity or assurance of themselves, they start doubting. The pressure gains to be too much which leads them to depression because in their point of view there is always something that can be better. Not being part of the LDS religion I can observe it's not just them who have that pressure it's everyone else also, mainly women who feel like the need to be perfect is how life is supposed to be. Except LDS women feel it 10 times more than other people.
ReplyDeleteIm not sure how valid this study is.Because it is held in Utah where most of the population is mormon, so it would be like going to New mexico and doing a study on depression among latino's.
ReplyDeletesome things contributing to this is the "Mom" effect. because home makers are seen as lazy to the rest of the world they feel pressures from there. Also having not much to do during the day they feel the need to do something with their time. If they arent encouraged to go after many different hobby's they may feel left out if they dont have a certain gift, or talent.
I have known many girls y age to claim depression, but i cant tell you how many are true. Depression is something that can attract attention and sympathy and who doesn't want that? In today's society there seems to be something wrong with everybody. In my opinion doctors are too quick to diagnose.
I think that this is very true. I believe there are lot of women of any religion who are told you have to be perfect to get to heaven or to get blessings or whatever they are striving for. And it only makes sense that there are certain people who take it to the extreme and once they realize that perfection is impossible to obtain get depressed and are not sure what they can do to better themselves. I think that since we live in Utah with such a high ratio of LDS families and communities, people are constantly getting judged by others. Whether its based off of their clothes or how they act or what they believe. That is most definitely linked to the depression because then these women feel like everyone else is judging them and that makes them want to try less if people already think so little of them. Which then just adds to their thoughts of imperfection pushing them deeper in the cycle.
ReplyDelete-Sam Alder
I think that it makes sense that these women and also men could get depressed when they are being told that they should be perfect. And living in an LDS culture like we do here, it is even harder because lots of lds people judge more harshly than they should. No one is perfect and that is something that lots of people need to realize. I know a lot of LDS women and men that suffer from depression, and i think that some of the reason for it could be the idea that they should be perfect.
ReplyDelete-Nichol Murdock
No one can be perfect. Telling some one to be perfect it pretty dumb, some people take to heart and take for reals.so there are scared to do anything worry.some people fail on what they are trying to do. Because they didn't reach standers of the LDS church they fall into depression. Being from Utah a lot of us here are LDS so if some is the picture perfect LDS member people will judge you other.
ReplyDelete-David Cisneros
I think that depression could definitely be a result from certain aspects in LDS and Utah culture, I don't think it necessarily anything the church teaches as much as it could be what the church makes you expect of yourself I think that when you look at what the LDS church teaches it makes you realize things you could possibly improve and do better at in your life. If you choose to focus on all the things you aren't doing well instead of the things you may be doing good at I can see it causing a problem like depression. I believe if you have balance in your view on strengths and weaknesses you have then you can improve your life without the negative problems like depression. Its never good to focus more on the bad then the good, it just puts you down.
ReplyDeleteI can see how woman can become depressed with our Utah culture. People's expectations of LDS members are set pretty high, and I think that people will become depressed because of it. I don't think that it is the LDS standards that make women depressed, but the opinions of others. People become so worried about what others think, and I think that that is why people become depressed. The LDS standards do make it seem like we have to be perfect, but we are all human and won't be perfect. I do see how they can become depressed though.
ReplyDelete-Edgar Cordova
I feel I don't really understand why the the numbers are so high. Yes women are put down a ton. The LDS church says so many times "women are so great and have a big reason and apart of the church" and all this other stuff that should make them feel the pressure of not having to be perfect. I agree with Edgar and how he said how the standards may seem like we have to do the "perfect" thing but in reality we are not perfect because we are human and we cant live up to what the world thinks is perfect. Maybe it's just me who see's LDS women not depressed. :P Anyways, Being perfect is not possible, so why even try? The world has for so long that now its becoming something you need to do, when really you cant. No one can.
ReplyDeleteI feel like LDS women do have that pressure to be perfect. In the Utah culture there is that pressure to be perfect. If you don't fit the standard people judge you. I think being LDS does have a lot of pressure because you have to go to church, read your scriptures, and be an active member and if you're not you're seen as 'bad'. Which isn't that perfect image of the religion. The friends that i have that are LDS and aren't active members do get judged because they don't follow every rule. Being a part of the church or not i think many girls live under the pressure of being perfect here just because of our culture. I don't know what the church teaches so i can't say that the teachings make women depressed, but the Utah culture does. Being a part of a different church and living in a culture that is mostly made up of LDS people i feel left out sometimes. I feel like if i wear something that isn't very modest, or do something thats 'bad' i get looked at as a bad person. it doesn't make me feel sad or anything, but if women, who are LDS, let that social pressure get to them that then i understand why they get depressed. So yeah. (:
ReplyDeleteWell I feel like I need to be perfect. But its not making me Depressed. That is just how my mind is. I feel I have to be perfect for myself. To make me feel better about my self. To make me work hard for my self. I think that this is article is just to make LDS women look depressed. The women I know aren't. They are the happiest people I know.
ReplyDelete-- Miscia Starrs
Like the women in the article said, they felt like they had to be perfect. When in actuality no one can really be perfect. Knowing that you are not perfect could bother people and make them think that there is something wrong with them because they are not perfect. Being judged by others is a big fear, especially in society today, and in Utah county. They want you to be the typical "perfect" mormon and if you aren't then you are an outcast, leading to more depression. Some could be depressed for many reasons, but say that it is from not being perfect because that is the reason that is on the top of there head when they answer why they are depressed. I believe that it isn't just because these women are LDS that they are depressed.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that LDS women are the only ones that are depressed. I think many women are depressed, and it comes from the media and other things around them. When women see others around them who are maybe skinnier than them or have more things they do, they start to think that they aren't good enough. We just need to stop focusing on what other people do, or what other people have, and focus on the things that we have. In my sunday school class we called a guy that lives in Australia, his name is Cactus. He told us about a time where things just weren't going the way he wanted and he felt like he wasn't important. Instead of letting himself fall away he decided to make things better, he decided to make things his own, in his words "Cactusfy" it, and eventually that led him to a lot of good not only in his life but to those around him. -Emily Douma
ReplyDeleteI feel like many LDS women fall into depression because they feel like their religion and many people around them expect them to "be perfect" and maybe it is not just LDS women but people in utah especially, because utah is known to be a big LDS community and whenever someone doesn't do something "that is right" you get judged alot because you didn't do "what was right" us as human beings always try to fit in to what people think is right and do what is right according to everyone. And in this case I think many LDS women get pressured alot in trying to be the best they can but that pressure is hurting them. Sometimes we just have to stop and remember we're human, and we make mistakes but from those mistakes me gain our knowledge from life! sometimes you have to fall in order to grow as a person.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that its just LDS women that are depressed. But they feel more of a need to be "perfect" because they see other women that are "perfect" that are LDS. But most of it comes from the media, most of the girls on the media are beyond skinny. It's not healthy but most women think its healthy and that's what they want. It all depends on how they view themselves as a person too, and their self esteem.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with this article and what they found in some ways. I think the depression found in women today are from all this crap in the world. All over the world women have this pressure to be 'perfect' in how their body looks and a lot of women these days don't feel good until they look like that 'perfect' model in the magazines. But being in Utah, there is another contributor to this 'needing to be perfect' because now it's not just how you look but how you act as well. Women feel like they have to hide any mistakes they have made because they feel they are the only ones and that they need to be this 'perfect' person who doesnt ever make mistakes. its impossible to not make mistakes...we are all human. but i think its the pressure to try and become this 'perfect' person and not mkae mistakes that leads to depression. It's not the LDS religion or what they teach...it's more the people in utah who make a bigger deal out of little mistakes than what it really is. It's not the religion though because if you look at the depression rates in other states for LDS women, you will find it is MUCH lower. Only in Utah do we have this problem...
ReplyDelete~ashley call
I personally think that every women tries to be "perfect" now a days they expect the women to be good at everything.. but we all know that.. that's not possible at all. When I read this article it didn't surprise me of how many LDS women are so depressed. We all make mistakes but here in utah people clearly don't understand. I would personally love if everyone could just get along and keep their selfish rude comments to themselves. I also think that when people judge or talk about you without even knowing you just because of stupid rumors that could possibly not even be true. In overall not everyone is perfect and people shouldn't expect women to be perfect at everything.
ReplyDeleteMichella Higuera
I find this article to be highly unreasonable I mean how can merely going to church make a woman depressed? If you ask me I believe these women have internal issues derived from their own experiences growing up and have a severe lack of self worth. Low self esteem can have longterm effects upon a person's mental health including depression. Due to their low self esteem and seemingly high expectations they were overwhelemed and in due time became depression. On another note their depression could've been inherited but I'm not sure if depression can be inherited so I'd have to do some research on that to be sure but in any case, I don't believe LDS Culture to be the main cause of their depression. On another note, according to the information within the article only a total of 36 women were recorded during this research. Thirty-six women is not enough to conduct an accurate study.
ReplyDelete-Makayla Memmott
I feel like this a mix of truth and just the fact that the LDS women are being to hard on themselves. It is hard to not feel bad about yourself if the majority of where you live is all being taught to strive for perfection. Everyone is going to try to be as good as their friends but when they're not they get depressed cause they aren't as "perfect". I think this is more the women then the men because women are typically sensitive about what people think about them unlike men where they are more likely to just shrug it off their shoulder.
ReplyDelete-Ben Hilton
Honestly I think it comes down to what you let it be. Meaning telling yourself you HAVE to be perfect. I am apart of this faith I can honsetly say ABOSOULUTEY NOBODY is perfect no matter how hard they try. People judge they do but PEOPLE judge not just LDS people. So I don't think it is all on the lds church it is the workd as well.
ReplyDeleteAutymn Clemesha
In the LDS religion they strive to be perfect. Naturaly women compare them selfs to others in stead of focusing on what really matters. One women might look at her ward and see how perfect every one else is and hows she is always falling short of her expectations. what she really should do is stop worrying about every one else and just focus on herself.
ReplyDelete-Daelan Prete
All women have high expectations, but living in a state where the expectations are even higher, I can see where the depression comes in to play. They shouldn't focus on what everyone else's standards are for them. They have their own and that is what really counts. When you have all those expectations on you and you feel like you can't live up to them, that's when all those feelings come in. They shouldn't focus on that. They are their own person. They are good, living up to the expectations or not.
ReplyDelete-Elizabeth velasco
I can understand how people in religions could get depression whether male or female. But they are expected to be and act a certain way. And being stereotyped because of your religion could cause depression but I think its more of genetics than anything. the one that has depression running in their family are at a far greater risk than people who arn't.~Kyle Sorensen
ReplyDeleteI think that this is a huge problem in our culture. Women try too Hard to be perfect and this causes so much pressure and because perfect isn't possible they feel unsuccessful... Which leads to depression. I have seen this in so many people and have felt these pressures myself. I think that people feel like there are constantly people looking at them and judging them.by their amount of success and beauty along with many other things. I wish everyone would just stop and realize thy are all perfect the way they are :) -McKenna Sommers
ReplyDeleteWell, needless to say, this article elicited quite a bit of responses from many of you, especially my female students. I was very impressed with many of the comments that I read and I assure you that I read all of them. I think I mentioned this in class that many of your insights into this topic are well beyond what would be expected from ones as young as you. But I wasn’t surprised.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, let me restate what I said earlier regarding the difference between doctrine and culture. I don’t believe there is anything in the doctrine of the LDS faith that would be a contributing factor towards depression. Instead, I feel it is an individual’s interpretation of that doctrine (incorrectly I may add) that can lead to feelings of hopelessness and subsequently depression. The reasons why an individual may interpret doctrine that ultimately is aiming to provide hope into something that leads to despair is varied and many. Certainly the prevailing culture in this area as well as the culture in our society at large can be one of those reasons.
But regardless of the reasons why one becomes depressed our response to those that are feeling despair and hopelessness should by unmitigated. LDS doctrine teaches their members to “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.” Those who suffer from depression surely fall under this category. Though our culture here is not perfect, I’m grateful to say that my experience with Utah culture (I’ve live here for over 25 years) has often witnessed imperfect people answering the call to strengthen their neighbor. Of this, I am personally grateful for.
Mr. Fong