Parenting perfectionism and the parenting role

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2005.02.006Get rights and content

Abstract

The purpose of the present research was to provide evidence for the validity of the Multidimensional Parenting Perfectionism Questionnaire (MPPQ), an objective self-report instrument designed to measure multiple aspects of parenting perfectionism. Data from two separate samples provided evidence that the MPPQ parenting perfectionism tendencies were systematically related to parenting styles, parenting satisfaction, parental bonding, and attachment tendencies. The discussion focuses on the implications of these research findings and future directions for research with the Multidimensional Parenting Perfectionism Questionnaire.

Introduction

Research studies have consistently produced evidence of a multidimensional structure underlying perfectionistic tendencies (cf. Frost et al., 1993, Frost et al., 1990, Hewitt and Flett, 1989). Hewitt and Flett (1989), for example, reported evidence that perfectionism consists of at least three components involving excessively high self-imposed standards, demands from important others (especially important parental figures), and expectations for perfectionistic behavior in others. Frost et al. (1990) also took a multidimensional approach to perfectionism and identified perfectionistic dimensions focusing on high self-standards, preferences for order and organization, concerns about parenting mistakes, doubts about one’s performance, and both high expectations and excessive criticism from one’s parents.

As Flett, Hewitt, and Singer (1995) and Frost, Lahart, and Rosenblate (1991) have noted, perfectionism has been largely ignored in the parenting literature, even though some aspects of parental authority described by Baumrind, 1971, Baumrind, 1977 have perfectionistic overtones. In light of this consideration, Snell, Overbey, and Brewer (submitted) have recently applied a multidimensional perfectionism approach to the concept of parenting by constructing the Multidimensional Parenting Perfectionism Questionnaire (MPPQ). The goal of the present study was to examine the validity of the MPPQ with regard to the parenting role. There is ample evidence indicating that the parental role is influential in the social, personal, and individual development of people’s children (Collins & Kuczaj, 1991). This literature suggests that at least three parenting concepts may be theoretically linked to parenting perfectionism–parenting styles, parenting satisfaction, and parental bonding/attachment.

Baumrind, 1971, Baumrind, 1977 defined three styles of parenting behavior that primary caregivers use to interact with their children. The authoritarian parenting style is characterized by harshness and expectations for strict obedience to parental rules (Clarke-Stewart and Apfel, 1979, Lamborn et al., 1991). Permissive parents are warm and responsive, yet rarely make or enforce rules to guide the behavior of children (Baumrind, 1971). By contrast, the authoritative parenting style incorporates greater warmth and responsiveness to children as well as higher goal setting and expectations (Baumrind, 1971). An important research issue for the parenting literature is whether perfectionistic parenting tendencies are related to one’s own parenting style and/or the parenting styles experienced in one’s family of origin.

Parenting perfectionism may also influence people’s current level of satisfaction with their parenting behavior. Parenting satisfaction itself involves an overall global assessment of the qualitative features of one’s parenting behaviors. By examining the relationship between parenting perfectionism and parent satisfaction, the present research provided the opportunity to determine whether particular parenting perfectionism tendencies might be associated with parent satisfaction.

Parents and their infants develop strong emotional bonds which foster the development of healthy social and emotional relationships and adaptive cognitive abilities (Matas, Arend, & Sroufe, 1978). Two major aspects of parental rearing behavior have been identified in the parent–child literature: (1) care, which may promote bonding, and (2) (over)-protection, which can potentially interfere with bonding (Arrindell et al., 1998, Arrindell et al., 1989, Parker et al., 1979). Bonding is thought to promote attachment, which results in strong emotional ties between caregiver and child that develop through the repeated emotional interactions occurring within an enduring relationship (Ainsworth et al., 1978, Bowlby, 1969). Bartholomew and Horowitz (1991) have recently argued that one’s current adult attachments may be influenced by the nature of the parent–child attachment experienced in the family of origin. The present research provided the opportunity to assess whether parenting perfectionism might be associated with either parental bonding and/or parental attachment.

Section snippets

Sample I

Sample I participants who were enrolled in lower-level psychology courses at a small Midwestern USA university participated to partially fulfill course requirements. Each participant completed a questionnaire booklet that contained several demographic items, the Multidimensional Parenting Perfectionism Questionnaire (MPPQ), and several other instruments (described below). Of the 644 respondents, there were slightly more females (57.8%) than males (42.1%); one respondent did not indicate gender.

Results

Since the number of MPPQ subscales and the number of parenting subscales were relatively large, canonical correlation was used to examine the relationship between parenting perfectionism and the other aspects of parenting. The number of participants in each analysis varies because not all participants completed all items on each instrument.

Discussion

The present results provided strong evidence for the validity of the Multidimensional Parenting Perfectionism Questionnaire (MPPQ; Snell et al., submitted), in that predictable patterns were found between the MPPQ and the other measures of parenting behavior, parenting satisfaction, and attachment.

As expected, different parenting styles were found to be systematically related to unique patterns of parenting perfectionism. Individuals who were reared by more authoritative and less permissive

Acknowledgements

We wish to thank the following individuals for their assistance in the collection of the Sample I data: Denise Ford, Karen Armstrong, Tracy Twidwell, Maudena Scheets, Tara Schaub, Victor Washburn, Kendra Seip, Cindy Poole, Kristy Waddell, Tim Baskin, and Andre Clarke. Portions of this research were based on the doctoral dissertation of A. Lauren Brewer. Additionally, the authors thank Dr. Colin Cooper, PAID Associate Editor, and two reviewers for their helpful comments on earlier drafts of this

References (30)

  • Baumrind, D. (1977). What research is teaching us about the differences between authoritative and authoritarian...
  • Bowlby, J. (1969). Attachment and loss: Vol. 1. Attachment. New York: Basic...
  • J.R. Buri

    Parental authority questionnaire

    Journal of Personality Assessment

    (1991)
  • J.R. Buri et al.

    Effects of parental authoritarianism and authoritativeness on self-esteem

    Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin

    (1988)
  • J.R. Buri et al.

    Psychoanalytic theory and loving God concepts: Parent referencing versus self-referencing

    Journal of Psychology

    (1993)
  • Cited by (51)

    • Intolerance of Uncertainty and Perfectionistic Beliefs About Parenting as Cognitive Mechanisms of Symptom Change During Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Perinatal Anxiety

      2022, Behavior Therapy
      Citation Excerpt :

      The internal reliability was α = .88 in the current sample. The Multidimensional Parenting Perfectionism Questionnaire (MPPQ; Snell et al., 2005) is a 65-item measure of parenting perfectionism with 11 subscales derived from existing measures of perfectionism (i.e., Flett & Hewitt, 2002;; Frost et al., 1990). Two subscales were included in the current analyses.

    • Are women with traits of perfectionism more likely to develop perinatal depression? A systematic review and meta-analysis

      2022, Journal of Affective Disorders
      Citation Excerpt :

      A variety of perfectionism measures were used in the studies that met out inclusion criteria of standardised screening tools that are either self-report questionnaires or structured clinical interviews. Of the 10 studies, 5 used the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS; Hewitt and Flett, 1991a,b), 2 studies used the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS; Frost et al., 1990), 1 used the Clinical Perfectionism Questionnaire (CPQ; Fairburn et al., 2003), 1 used the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale – Form A-17 (DAS-A-17; De Graaf et al., 2009), 1 used the Multidimensional Parenting Perfectionism Questionnaire (MPPQ; Snell Jr et al., 2005), and 1 used the Almost Perfect Scale (APS-R; Slaney et al., 2001). The MPS (Hewitt and Flett, 1991a,b) assesses 3 dimensions of perfectionism: self-oriented, other-oriented, and socially prescribed perfectionism.

    View all citing articles on Scopus
    View full text