A profile analysis investigation of perfectionism, time perspective in relation to career decision making

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study investigated perfectionism and time perspective in relation to career decision making in a sample of college students. In this sample, males were 41.8% (n = 163) and females were 58.2% (n = 227) with a mean age of 20.93 (SD = .51). In specific, perfectionistic strivings and perfectionistic concerns along with a range of time perspective subscales were analyzed to distinguish emergent personality profiles. The results supported three clusters of personality profiles: past-negative-present perfectionists, future perfectionists, and present non perfectionists. The past-negative-present group had the second highest score in career decision-making, suggesting that negative reflecting on the past and enjoyment of the moment. The future-perfectionist group reported the highest scores for all career decision-making subscales. The present non-perfectionists reported the lowest scores for all career decision-making subscales. The findings can aid professionals and psychologists in recognising personality profiles and develop career interventions through time perspective counselling.