The Relationships Among Self-absorption, Self Criticism and Perfectionism

Abstract

The aim of this research was to study the associations among self-absorption and two dysfunctional forms of negative self-evaluation (comparative self-criticism and internalized self-criticism), adaptive perfectionism (high standards and orderliness), and maladaptive perfectionism (discrepancy).The maladaptive equivalent of self-awareness is conceptualized as self-absorption by Ingram (1990). One hundred and seventy-four university students and graduates attending a teacher certificate program completed the Self-Absorption Scale (SAS, McKenzie and Hoyle, R. H., 2008), the Levels of Self-Criticism (LOSC, Thompson and Zuroff, 2002) and the Almost Perfect Scale-Revised (APS-R; Slaney et al., 2001).Self absorption was measured by using the Turkish version of the Self-Absorption Scale. The factor structure of the Self-Absorption Scale was evaluated using exploratory factor analyses in the Turkish culture. The analyses yielded two factors namely, private self-absorption and public self-absorption. Multiple regression analyses showed that private self-absorption was positively predicted by discrepancy and internalized self-criticism. Public self-absorption was positively predicted by discrepancy, internalized self-criticism and comparative self-criticism. These findings provide evidence about the associations among self-absorption and maladaptive affect and cognition.