Testing a 2 × 2 model of dispositional perfectionism

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Abstract

This study proposed a new theoretical framework, the 2 × 2 model of perfectionism, positing that within-person combinations of evaluative concerns (ECP) and personal standards perfectionism (PSP) are the key features needed to differentiate four subtypes of perfectionism: Non-perfectionism, pure personal standards perfectionism, pure evaluative concerns perfectionism, and mixed perfectionism. Results of a study with a sample of 397 undergraduate students supported the four hypotheses of this model. The four subtypes of perfectionism were differently associated with indicators of internalization (academic self-determination), general adjustment and maladjustment (positive affect and negative affect), and domain-specific adjustment (academic satisfaction). Also, the subtypes of perfectionism were differentially associated with academic goal progress measured after four weeks.

Section snippets

Introduiction

Perfectionism is a multidimensional personality disposition that represents both the tendency to strive towards perfection and to evaluate the self in a critical manner (Cox et al., 2002, Flett and Hewitt, 2006). Several facets of perfectionism can be regrouped in two broader dimensions that can be distinguished on the basis of their origin (Hewitt & Flett, 1991) and cognitive manifestations (Frost, Marten, Lahart, & Rosenblate, 1990). On the one hand, evaluative concerns perfectionism (ECP)

Participants

A sample of 397 undergraduate students (14% male, 86% female) participated in this study. Their mean age was 20.39 (SD = 3.53) and they were freshman (20%), junior (25%), sophomore (36%), and senior (19%) enrolled in various programs at a Canadian university. A total of 317 participants (14% male, 86% female) completed the follow-up measure of goal progress (80%).

Measures

All measures were completed during the fourth week of the semester. A follow-up measure of academic goal progress was completed shortly

Results

The interaction between ECP and PSP was significant, over and above their main effects, in the prediction of each of the five dependent variables. Results are presented in Table 1.

Predicted values of each dependent variable for the four subtypes of perfectionism are reported in Table 2 along with their 95% CI. These predicted values were calculated using the simple slope equation presented in Cohen et al. (2003, p. 269). The predicted values were compared using the significance test of the four

Discussion

This study contributes to the perfectionism literature, foremost, by proposing the 2 × 2 model of perfectionism which is likely to move research beyond the identification of main/unique effects to capture the interactive effect of core PSP and ECP dimensions. The 2 × 2 model provides a theoretically driven conceptualization distinguishing four distinct subtypes of dispositional perfectionism while proposing four primary hypotheses regarding their distinctive outcomes. This study lent credence to

Conclusion

This study proposed a novel theoretical model outlining a priori hypotheses regarding the interaction between ECP and PSP within the confines of the traditional variable-centered approach. Prior research has indicated that perfectionism could hinder the effectiveness of psychological interventions of depressive patients (Blatt, 1995) and the usefulness of planning interventions (Powers et al., 2005). More research is needed with clinical populations to inform mental health practitioners about

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a Grant and a doctoral fellowship from Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada awarded to Patrick Gaudreau and Amanda Thompson, respectively.

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