Perfectionism and performance following failure in a competitive golf-putting task

Abstract

ObjectivesPerfectionism is linked to an array of cognitive, affective, and behavioral correlates in sport. However, research examining links between perfectionism and performance in competition, especially following failure, is scarce. The purpose of this study was to examine the interaction between two higher-order dimensions of perfectionism—perfectionistic strivings and perfectionistic concerns—in predicting golf-putting performance following failure in competition. DesignA correlational design was employed. MethodNinety-nine (52 female) intercollegiate athletes (M age = 20.51 years, SD = 1.79) completed a domain-specific measure of perfectionistic strivings and perfectionistic concerns in sport. Athletes competed in two trials of a golf-putting task against a research confederate. After the first trial of ten putts (and before the second trial of ten putts) athletes were provided false-failure feedback indicating that they were losing the competition to their opponent. Performance was measured by the total distance each putt finished from the intended target. ResultsModerated hierarchical regression analysis with Johnson-Neyman technique to probe interactions revealed that, following failure, perfectionistic strivings is associated with better performance when perfectionistic concerns is lower, but associated with worse performance when perfectionistic concerns is higher. ConclusionsDimensions of perfectionism predict performance following competitive failure and the presence of higher (versus lower) perfectionistic concerns appears to be a key determining factor in how athletes perform.