Good Girl Syndrome (GGS) is a behavioral pattern where a woman strives to be very good and pleasing. She prioritizes others' needs over her own and avoids conflicts. Tiina Üürike, a psychology student, studied this syndrome. Her study involved 366 women.
The study showed that GGS is a distinct psychological pattern. It consists of six parts. Conditional self-esteem, where a person evaluates themselves based on others' opinions, is important. Women often push their own needs into the background.
GGS is related to societal expectations. Women feel pressure to be polite and perfect. Perfectionism, high demands on oneself, is part of this syndrome. Women often exhaust themselves and do not take breaks.
Another important part is socially desirable behavior. People try to please others and avoid conflicts. Fear of making mistakes is also significant. This prevents people from taking risks and achieving their goals.
Perfectionism is a significant factor in GGS. Since it is a personality trait, it can make the syndrome difficult to change. The higher the GGS score, the more it interferes with daily life. It can lead to psychological problems.
Tiina Üürike emphasizes that being good itself is not bad. The problem arises when a person exerts themselves too much for others. Further studies should clarify the relationship between GGS, burnout, and depression.
The study is important because it provides a basis for further research. A questionnaire to measure GGS is now available. Next, its accuracy needs to be verified, and the causes of the syndrome, such as upbringing and society, need to be investigated.
If someone feels similar to the description of GGS, it is important to be aware of their own needs. Often, it is necessary to learn to say "no" and set boundaries. Every person is different, so help is also needed individually.