Positive and negative perfectionism: two sides of the story: a global or domain-specific construct?

Abstract

This thesis examines perfectionism in the context of domain-specificity, development and exploratory intervention within an alternative behavioural approach to perfectionism. The primary study moves beyond the view of "unhealthy" general perfectionism to explore the possibility of a Positive and Negative form of perfectionism in relation to specific domains of life (University/Work, Relationships, Physical Activity, Domestic Environment, and Appearance) in students, athletes and a clinical group. A mixed model of 3 (group) x 2 (perfectionism) x 5 (domain) for absolute perfectionism and a mixed model of 3 (group) x 5 (domain) for relative perfectionism were assessed using repeated measures ANOVA. Results for absolute perfectionism revealed two significant main effects (group and domain) and two 2-way interaction effects (group by domain; group by perfectionism), while results for relative perfectionism showed two main effects (group and domain). For absolute perfectionism, the interaction of domain by group suggested that clinical patients experienced perfectionism in specific domains, but that their levels of perfectionism were still higher than the university students and athletes. The University/Work domain was significantly higher than all the other domains for university students, while the University/Work domain and the physical Activity domain were higher than all other domains for athletes. The interaction of perfectionism by group showed that Negative Perfectionism differed between the three groups, while Positive Perfectionism was similar across the groups. For relative perfectionism, athletes reported higher Positive to Negative perfectionism than university students, while the clinical sample reported higher Negative to Positive Perfectionism than the university students. Overall, domain specificity was associated with total perfectionism only under certain conditions (i.e., group), while Positive and Negative Perfectionism differed only between the groups and not domains. These findings call into question the ease with which one can generalise perfectionism across all areas of life. In light of these findings on domain-specificity and interest in further exploring the perfectionism distinction within a behavioural framework, a separate study was conducted to explore themes around Positive and Negative Perfectionism. A positive and negative distinction of perfectionism was proposed on the basis of themes emerging from semi-structured retrospective interviews with l0 university students. Themes associated with Negative Perfectionism related to current experiences (e.g., fear of failure, avoiding negative consequences) and developmental influences (e.g., high parental expectations, parental absence/nonapproval). Themes associated with Positive Perfectionism also related to current experiences (e.g., flexibility, high self-esteem, balance) and developmental influences (e.g., authoritative parenting, consistent positive reinforcement). Stemming from the discussion of the themes of Positive and Negative Perfectionism, an exploratory intervention study grounded in rational-emotive behavioural therapy was conducted in order to attempt to reduce Negative Perfectionism in non-clinical individuals. Eight women participated in the intervention study based on a multiple baseline single-subject design, in an attempt to incorporate internal controls. All participants experienced reduction in Negative Perfectionism to varying degrees, while Positive Perfectionism remained fairly constant, providing preliminary evidence for a potentially effective perfectionism intervention. Thus, this thesis sheds new light on domain-specificity, development and intervention of perfectionism in an alternative behavioural framework of Positive and Negative Perfectionism. Key words: Perfectionism, Domain-Specificity, Positive Perfectionism, Negative Perfectionism.