Perfectionism In Sport Research Articles

Develop a Model of Perfectionism for Abnormal Personality Traits

Introduction: Perfectionism is a psychological issue that psychologists have studied extensively. Research shows that perfectionism can either enhance or hinder performance. Aim: The purpose of this research was to develop a model of perfectionism for abnormal personality traits. Method: This study utilized a mixed exploratory approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methods. The qualitative phase involved 20 university experts knowledgeable about perfectionism in sports, with the sample size reaching theoretical saturation. The quantitative phase included 232 players from the national team's training camps, selected through convenience sampling. Using the onion research method, a model of perfectionism for abnormal personality traits in national team players was developed based on interviews and expert input. A 10-component questionnaire was created from this model. Structural equation modeling and Smart PLS software were used to test relationships within the model. Results: The research yielded a model of perfectionism for abnormal personality traits in national team players, consisting of components such as negativity, expectations of others, coach criticism, self-control, individual standards, positivism, striving for excellence, fear of failure, and performance doubts. Conclusion: The results suggest that perfectionism significantly influences players' attitudes and behaviors, particularly in relation to abnormal personality traits.

Personal risk factors and types of sport associated with drive for thinness and drive for muscularity in NextGen athletes.

Professional and student-athletes are at risk of developing symptoms of eating disorders (ED), including drive for thinness and muscularity due to personal risk factors (e.g., low self-esteem) and sport-specific characteristics (e.g., sport requirements). However, limited studies have focused on ED symptoms among NextGen athletes (identified in Canada as élite or relève) who compete at the provincial, national, and international levels but are not yet part of national teams. As such, they have access to fewer financial resources and support from their sport federations, which can create additional stress for these athletes. The present study aimed to identify personal risk factors and types of sports associated with (a) drive for thinness and (b) drive for muscularity in NextGen athletes. These athletes (n = 254) aged between 14 and 25 years old completed an online questionnaire. Perfectionism, self-esteem in sport, drive for thinness, and drive for muscularity were, respectively, assessed by the Multidimensional Inventory of Perfectionism in Sport, the Sport State Self-Esteem Scale, the Eating Attitude Test-26, and the Drive for Muscularity Scale. Other personal risk factor (e.g., athletic status) were measured using in-house questions. Each personal risk factor was included in two multiple linear regressions, respectively, to determine which factors were most associated with drive for thinness and drive for muscularity. Analyses revealed that perfectionist aspirations during training were linked to a stronger desire for thinness. In addition, not being in school or not having a job were also linked to a stronger desire for thinness. Several variables were found to be associated with a greater desire for muscularity: being a male athlete, playing team sport, weight category sport or endurance sport (as opposed to esthetic sport), having elite status, being less satisfied with one's current sporting performance and having higher perfectionist aspirations during training. This study offers initial insights into the factors influencing EDs among NextGen athletes, which provides a foundation for deeper exploration and the creation or modification of targeted interventions. These findings can guide sport organizations in creating guidelines and programs to better support the next generation of national athletes (e.g., create programs to help athletes maintain investments outside).

Perfectionism, disordered eating and well-being in aesthetic sports: The mediating role of passion

Aesthetic athletes face higher risks of disordered eating, and perfectionism is one of the determinants involved. While research suggests that perfectionism in sport may play a role in physical and psychological well-being, its influence remains to be confirmed. As such, further examination of the influence of perfectionism on health is warranted as it could lead to better interventions. This preregistered research sought to shed new light on these relationships by investigating the mediating role of passion in the perfectionism-disordered eating relationship as well as physical and psychological well-being in aesthetic sports. In Study 1, 229 American recreational and competitive athletes practicing either gymnastics (n = 150) or artistic swimming (n = 79) were recruited on MTurk to complete an online questionnaire. The same recruitment procedure was used for Study 2, with 107 American gymnasts (n = 69) and artistic swimmers (n = 38) completing the questionnaire at two timepoints, one year apart. Results from path analyses showed that socially prescribed perfectionism was associated with obsessive passion, which in turn was associated with disordered eating. Self-oriented perfectionism was associated with both obsessive and harmonious passion, the latter being more adaptative as it was associated with physical and psychological well-being. Thus, the way one engages in aesthetic sports matters, as engaging with obsessive passion may take a toll on one’s health and lead to disordered eating. Conversely, fostering harmonious engagement seems to temper the negative associations between perfectionism and health outcomes and promote positive relationships with athlete’s well-being, but requires further study.

Insights and Challenges of Working With Perfectionism in Sport

Insights and Challenges of Working With Perfectionism in Sport

Exploring and Evaluating the Two-Factor Model of Perfectionism in Sport

Perfectionism is a multidimensional personality trait with two higher-order dimensions; perfectionistic strivings and perfectionistic concerns. The purpose of the present study was to explore and evaluate the two-factor model for the first time using three instruments developed to measure perfectionism in sport. In doing so, we (i) assessed the fit of two-factor models when including and excluding various contentious subscales (other-oriented perfectionism, parental pressure, coach pressure, organisation, and negative reactions to imperfection) and (ii) compared two-factor models to alternative one-factor (or unidimensional) models. Participants were recruited from community and university sports clubs in the UK ( N = 527; M age = 18.07 years, SD = 0.49) and completed the Sport-Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale-2, the Multidimensional Inventory of Perfectionism in Sport, and the Performance Perfectionism Scale-Sport. Support was found for the two-factor model, with superior fit displayed each time the aforementioned subscales were excluded and, in all cases, when compared to a unidimensional model. The findings suggest that the two-factor model is an adequate representation of the underlying structure of instruments designed to measure perfectionism in sport with better fit and conceptual clarity offered by more parsimonious models.

Resilient Behaviors in Music Students: Relationship with Perfectionism and Self-Efficacy.

Self-efficacy and perfectionism play an important role in high-performance activities. This cross-sectional study analyzes the relationship between these constructs and resilience in a sample of 145 music students (57.9% female) with a mean age of 27.77 years. Perfectionism was assessed using the Multidimensional Inventory of Perfectionism in Sport; resilience, using the Resilience Scale; and self-efficacy, using the General Self-Efficacy Scale. Females, compared to males, are more perfectionist, both on the adaptive (Cohen's d = 0.41) and maladaptive scales (Cohen's d = 0.70). However, no gender differences were found in self-efficacy or resilience scores. Music students categorized as highly resilient obtained significantly higher self-efficacy scores (Cohen's d = 1.30). However, no differences were found between high- and low-resilience students in perfectionism scores, the total scale scores, or its adaptive or functional factor (striving for perfection). Differences were found for the maladaptive factor, negative reactions to imperfection, where low-resilience students scored higher on negative reactions to imperfection (Cohen's d = 0.49). Self-efficacy shows significant predictive power for resilience (β = 0.525, p < 0.001). Although functional perfectionism did not significantly predict resilience, a marginal negative relationship was found between dysfunctional perfectionism and resilience (β = -0.156, p = 0.063). The results are discussed concerning their implications for music pedagogy and teacher intervention.

The satisfaction of basic psychological needs mediates the relation between perfectionism and sport performance: a longitudinal cross-national investigation

ABSTRACT Using a cross-national approach, we focused on sport perfectionism among university athletes from two Western countries (i.e., Italy and Spain). We examined a guiding theoretical model in which sport perfectionism influenced athletes’ experience of their own performance through the intervening effects of their basic psychological needs’ satisfaction (BPN). We collected data on the short version of the “Multidimensional Inventory of Perfectionism in Sport” (MIPS) from athletes in both countries and first examined the country measurement invariance of the instrument. We then conducted a second study on a subsample of athletes from study 1 to examine the statistical tenets and the country invariance of the guiding theoretical model. Overall, we found support to the guiding hypotheses. Study 1 findings showed that the MIPS had good psychometric properties and was invariant across countries (i.e., MIPS items had similar meaning among Italian and Spanish athletes). Study 2 findings overall showed support across countries for the guiding model. Athletes with relatively high levels of perfectionistic strivings, later showed greater levels of BPN satisfaction and this, in turn, positively influenced their personal experience of performance. On the contrary, athletes with relatively high levels of perfectionistic concerns, later showed lower levels of BPN satisfaction and this, in turn, negatively influenced their personal experience of performance. This investigation provides initial cross-national evidence for possible mediation mechanisms that may underpin the relations between perfectionism and performance.

A two-factor model of perfectionism in sports

The main goal of the research was to examine the correlation between personality traits (conscientiousness and neuroticism), perfectionistic strivings and concerns, and achievement motives (hope of success and fear of failure). In this research, 348 respondents (111 women, 237 men) from Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, aged 16 to 54 years, filled out the questionnaires. Personality traits were measured by the Big Five plus 2 (VP + 2) questionnaire. The Sport Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale 2 (Sport-MPS 2) and the Multidimensional Inventory of Perfectionism in Sports (MIPS) were used for measuring perfectionism, while the revised version of the Achievement Motivation Scale (AMS-R) was used for motivational strategies determination. The relations were investigated with the method of structural equations. The theoretical model showed satisfactory concordance with the empirical data (RMSEA = .021, SRMR = .019, CFI = .999, TLI = .996). The model predicts the mediating effect of perfectionistic strivings on the relationship between conscientiousness and hope of success, as well as neuroticism and hope of success, and the mediating effect of perfectionistic concerns on the relationship between neuroticism and fear of failure.

Psychometric Properties of the Sport Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale-2 in Czech Adolescent Athletes: An Exploratory Approach

This study presents a thorough examination of the psychometric properties of the Czech version of the Sport Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale-2 in adolescent athletes. Factorial structure, external validity, and internal consistency were evaluated using a cross-sectional design. In addition, three-month temporal stability was also assessed. The cross-sectional study sample consisted of 243 respondents (50.2% females; mean age 16.40 years). Factorial structure of the Sport-MPS-2 was examined using exploratory factor analysis, evidence for external validity was based on bivariate and canonical correlations with Big Five Inventory-2 (short) and Sport Anxiety Scale-2. The longitudinal part of the study was performed on a subsample of 96 participants. Factorial structure in our sample fully corresponded to the structure suggested by the authors of the instrument. Internal consistencies of subscales were satisfactory. Regarding external validity, Doubts about Actions and Concern over Mistakes were positively related to sport anxiety, and positive relationship was found also between Concern over Mistakes and Negative Emotionality. No substantial relationships were found in case of subscales constituting perfectionistic strivings. Temporal stability of Sport-MPS-2 over three months was satisfactory. The Czech version of Sport-MPS-2 can be considered a reliable instrument for assessing perfectionism in sport in the adolescent population.

Predictors of perfectionistic tendencies in sport among undergraduate kinesiology students

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to examine the athletic identity, identity foreclosure, perceived task value in sport, and perfectionism of kinesiology students with high school and college sport experience. Participants completed an online survey that included items regarding demographic information, athletic identity ego identity, perceived task value in sport, and sport perfectionism. Pearson moment correlations indicated that higher athletic identity was associated with higher subjective task value, identity foreclosure, perfectionistic strivings, and perfectionistic concerns. Multiple regression analyses revealed that athletic identity and subjective task value were significant predictors of perfectionistic strivings and that athletic identity and identity foreclosure were significant predictors of perfectionistic concerns. Future research should replicate the study with participants from different ethnicities and geographical regions using longitudinal and qualitative methods to examine the development of subjective task value in sport.

Perceived parental pressure and perceived coach pressure in adolescent and adult sport

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate whether adolescent and adult athletes’ perceptions of interpersonal perfectionistic performance pressures from parents and coaches differ as a function of athlete age. DesignA cross-sectional repeated-measures design was employed. MethodA total of 1544 youth sport athletes (M age = 15.44 years; SD = 2.12) and 1706 adult sport athletes (M age = 20.80 years; SD = 2.09) provided self-report levels of perceived parental pressure (PPP) and perceived coach pressure (PCP) in sport. ResultsStatistically significant interaction effects (ps < .001) were obtained from two repeated-measures analyses of variance. Interaction effects indicated that PPP tended to be lower in older/adult sport athletes than younger/adolescent sport athletes, whereas PCP tended to be higher in older/adult sport athletes than younger/adolescent sport athletes. Significant main effects (ps < .001) also revealed that, regardless of age and whether athletes competed in youth sport or adult sport, athletes had a tendency to perceive more pressure from coaches than parents. ConclusionResults highlight the need to differentiate between parents and coaches as potential sources of interpersonal perfectionistic pressures in sport. Results also demonstrate that athletes’ perceptions of parent and coach pressure surrounding performance expectations and standards in sport can differ as a function of athlete age. Future research that examines perfectionism in sport from a developmental perspective is recommended.

Perfectionism Patterns, Dark Personality, and Exercise Addiction Trend in High-Intensity Sports

The present work tries to describe the relationships among perfectionism, dark traits of personality, and exercise addiction and according to highly intense sports. Following research on perfectionism in sport, its dysfunctional facet is based on a continuous and negative cognitive-evaluative judgement about the difficulties to achieve the accomplishment of tasks or behaviors that improve their sport performance, describing how athletes configure altered thoughts or cognitive resources in their sport experiences. The Spanish versions of the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, the Short Dark Triad Scale, and the Exercise Addiction Inventory were applied in a sample of 462 Spanish amateur athletes (39.6% women and 60.4% men). The findings show that a more maladaptive perfectionist pattern (concern over mistakes and external criticism) is related to higher levels of dark personality traits and a greater risk of exercise addiction. However, there are no differences between runners and CrossFit users on the subject of perfectionism, dark traits, and exercise addiction scores.

Perfectionistic tipping points: Re-probing interactive effects of perfectionism.

Researchers have recently turned their attention to examining interactive effects of dimensions of perfectionism in sport and exercise. This is typified by research testing the 2 × 2 model of perfectionism (Gaudreau & Thompson, 2010) and the use of simple slopes analysis to probe statistically significant interactions. The aim of this study is to illustrate a different approach to probe statistically significant interactions, the Johnson-Neyman (J-N) technique, and how it can identify the specific level of evaluative concerns perfectionism at which the effect of personal standards perfectionism changes (termed the perfectionistic tipping point). To meet this aim, secondary analysis was undertaken of three samples that previously provided evidence of interactions between dimensions of perfectionism in predicting sport devaluation, dedication, enthusiasm, and expressive suppression. Using the J-N technique, perfectionistic tipping points were identified whereby the conditional effect of PSP became statistically significant for each outcome at low-to-moderate levels of ECP. In each case, the level of ECP was outside of the levels tested in the 2 × 2 model making it useful complementary information. Based on the findings, it is recommended that researchers report perfectionistic tipping points when probing significant interactions in the 2 × 2 model of perfectionism and when examining interactive effects of perfectionism, generally.

Are they too perfect to eat healthy? Association between eating disorder symptoms and perfectionism in adolescent rhythmic gymnasts

ObjectiveEating disorders are associated with perfectionism in adults, but evidence is lacking in adolescent competitive athletes. This study examined eating disorder symptoms and perfectionism in a sample of 13–15 years old, adolescent rhythmic gymnasts. MethodsEighty-nine female rhythmic gymnasts (41 international and 48 recreational level gymnasts), completed the Eating Attitudes Tests 26 (EAT-26), the Sport Perfectionism Questionnaire (SPQ), the Social Desirability Scale (SDS) and provided information on their training. ResultsIt was found that 41.46% of the international and 14.58% of the recreational level gymnasts scored ≥20 in EAT-26. International level gymnasts also scored higher than recreational in EAT-26 (p = 0.002), and its subscales Dieting (p = 0.012) and Oral Control (p ˂ 0.001) and in the Sport Perfectionism Questionnaire (p = 0.005) and the subscales Striving for Perfectionism (p ˂ 0.001) and Personal Standards (p ˂ 0.001). No differences were found between groups in the subscales Concerns over Mistakes (p = 0.429), and Negative Reactions to Imperfection (p = 0.096). Multiple regression analysis in international level gymnasts, showed that Negative Reactions to Imperfection, body mass index and training experience accounted for 33.2% of the variance in EAT-26 (adjusted R2 = 0.332, F = 6.786, p ˂ 0.001). A negative association was observed between training experience and eating disorder symptoms in international level athletes. No association was found between the subscales of perfectionism and EAT-26 in recreational gymnasts (p ˃ 0.316). ConclusionsInternational level, adolescent rhythmic gymnasts show more eating pathology than recreational. Negative Reactions to Imperfection and BMI seem relevant for gymnasts' dieting behaviour while training experience may help adolescent athletes to cope with disturbed eating behaviours.

The Personal and Interpersonal Components of Perfectionism: The Italian Validation of "Multidimensional Inventory of Perfectionism in Sport".

The present research focused on the general theme of perfectionism in the sport domain, and it provided the first empirical validation of the original 72-item “Multidimensional Inventory of Perfectionism in Sport” (MIPS) among Italian athletes. The study, specifically, also focused on the relations linking personal and interpersonal components of perfectionism to athletes’ competitive anxiety. The research overall relied on data from 644 Italian sport science students and professional athletes and included both cross-sectional and longitudinal designs. Data analyses primarily focused on structural equation modeling, and the findings overall supported the psychometric and construct validity of the Italian version of the MIPS, also highlighting the key role of the personal components of perfectionism.

Goal Orientation, Motivation, and Competitive Anxiety in Players of Domestic Cricket in Pakistan

The present research was conducted to examine the relationship between goal orientation, motivation, and competitive anxiety in players of domestic cricket in Pakistan. The sample comprised of 105 male domestic cricketers aged between 18 to 35 years (M = 20.02, SD = 2.75). Correlational research design and purposive sampling strategy was used to draw sample from different cricket clubs and academies in Lahore and the permission to collect data was taken from the authorities of Pakistan Cricket Board. Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire (Duda &amp; Nicholls, 1992), Sport Motivation Scale-II (Pelletier, Rocchi, Vallerand, Deci, &amp; Ryan, 2013), Sport Anxiety Scale-2 (Smith, Smoll, Cumming, &amp; Grossbard, 2006), Beliefs About the Causes of Sport Success Questionnaire (Duda &amp; Nicholls, 1992) and Multidimensional Inventory of Perfectionism in Sport (Stober, Otto, &amp; Stoll, 2006) were administered to the participants. Pearson product moment correlation revealed that ego orientation was positively correlated with external regulation, whereas task orientation was positively correlated with intrinsic regulation. Also, intrinsic regulation was negatively correlated with competitive anxiety. Regression analysis revealed that intrinsic regulation was a negative predictor of competitive anxiety and somatic anxiety after controlling the effects of perfectionism and beliefs about success.

Development of Perfectionism in Junior Athletes: A Three-Sample Study of Coach and Parental Pressure.

Perfectionism predicts cognitions, emotions, and behaviors in sport. Nonetheless, our understanding of the factors that influence its development is limited. The authors sought to address this issue by examining the role of coach and parental pressure in the development of perfectionism in sport. Using 3 samples of junior athletes (16-19years; cross-sectional n = 212, 3-month longitudinal n = 101, and 6-month longitudinal n = 110), the authors examined relations between coach pressure to be perfect, parental pressure to be perfect, perfectionistic strivings, and perfectionistic concerns. Mini meta-analysis of the combined cross-sectional data (N = 423) showed that both coach pressure and parental pressure were positively correlated with perfectionistic strivings and perfectionistic concerns. In contrast, longitudinal analyses showed that only coach pressure predicted increased perfectionistic strivings and perfectionistic concerns over time. Overall, our findings provide preliminary evidence that coaches may play a more important role in the development of junior athletes' perfectionism than parents.

Akıldışı Performans İnançları Envanteri–2’nin Psikometrik Özelliklerinin Sınanması

The purpose of this study is to test the reliability and the validity of the Turkish version of the Irrational Performance Belief Inventory-2 (iPBI-2) for athletes. One-hundred ninety-six males and 107 females, a total of 303 athletes, voluntarily participated in this study. The iPBI-2 is the short form of the 28-item Irrational Performance Belief Inventory. The iPBI-2 is a five-point Likert scale that includes 20 items. The iPBI-2 assesses the irrational beliefs of athletes on 4 subscales: Demandingness, Awfulizing, Low Frustration Tolerance, and Depreciation. Confirmatory factor analysis and convergent validity were used to test the construct validity. The Sport Anxiety Scale-2 and the Sport Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale were administered to test the construct validity, and the Irrational Belief Scale Short Form was administered to test the convergent validity of the iPBI-2. In addition, internal reliability coefficients were computed for each subscale. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the Turkish scale is consistent with the original four-factor structure. The Pearson correlation analysis for testing the convergent validity revealed significant and positive relationships between the iPBI-2 subscales and sport anxiety, irrational beliefs, and sport perfectionism. The internal consistency of the total scale was .88, and of the subscales ranged between .83 (Demandingness subscale) and .86 (Low Frustration Tolerance and Depreciation subscales). We conclude that the four-factor model of the iPBI-2 is appropriate for measuring irrational beliefs about performance of Turkish athletes.

The effect of perceived stress and specialization on the relationship between perfectionism and burnout in collegiate athletes

ABSTRACTBackground: Athletic burnout is common when demands of the sport exceed the rewards. Individuals with certain personality dispositions, such as perfectionism, are at increased risk of experiencing perceived stress and subsequent burnout (Fender, L. K. (1989). Athlete burnout: Potential for research and intervention strategies. The Sport Psychologist, 3, 63–71. doi:10.1123/tsp.3.1.63; Gould, D., Tuffey, S., Udry, E., & Loehr, J. (1996). Burnout in competitive junior tennis players: I. A quantitative psychological assessment. The Sport Psychologist, 10, 322–340. doi:10.1123/tsp.10.4.322; Stoeber, J. (2011). The dual nature of perfectionism in sports: Relationships with emotion, motivation, and performance. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 4, 128–145. doi:10.1080/1750984x.2011.604789). Perfectionism has both adaptive and maladaptive dimensions, with the more maladaptive qualities leading to greater perceived stress (Hamachek, D. E. (1978). Psychodynamics of normal and neurotic perfectionism. Psychology, 15, 27–33.; Rice, K. G., & Van Arsdale, A. C. (2010). Perfectionism, perceived stress, drinking to cope, and alcohol-related problems among college students. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 57, 439–450. doi:10.1037/a0020221).Objectives: This study examined the influence of perfectionistic strivings and concerns on burnout, and perceived stress as a mediator of this relationship in Division II and III specialized and multiple-sport athletes (N = 351).Design: Cross-Sectional.Methods: Participants completed a demographic questionnaire and online measures of perfectionism, stress, and burnout during the latter part of the competitive season.Results: Results showed a positive, direct effect of perfectionistic concerns on burnout. Stress partially mediated this relationship. Additionally, perfectionistic strivings had a negative direct effect on burnout for specialized athletes.Conclusion: The relationship between perfectionistic concerns and burnout is partially explained by stress. Multiple sport athletes showed lower levels of stress compared to specialized ones. Finally, perfectionistic strivings are associated with lower levels of burnout for specialized athletes.

Multidimensional perfectionism in sport: A meta-analytical review.

© 2018 American Psychological Association. The current study provides an updated and meta-analytical review of research examining multidimensional perfectionism in sport. In doing so, studies that report the relationships between perfectionistic strivings, perfectionistic concerns and a range of motivation, emotion/well-being, and performance criterion variables are examined. A literature search yielded 52 studies and 697 effect sizes for 29 criterion variables. Random effects models revealed that perfectionistic strivings displayed small-tomedium relationships with a mix of maladaptive and adaptive motivation and emotion/ well-being, and a small-to-medium relationship with better performance. By contrast, perfectionistic concerns displayed a small-to-medium relationship with maladaptive motivation and emotion/well-being and were unrelated to performance. After controlling for the relationship between the two dimensions of perfectionism, the relationships displayed by residual perfectionistic strivings were indicative of it being less problematic, and the relationships displayed by residual perfectionistic concerns were indicative of it being more problematic than their unresidualized counterparts. There was also some preliminary evidence that some of the relationships were moderated by gender, age, sport type, and instrument. The findings suggest that perfectionistic concerns are clearly maladaptive for athletes, whereas perfectionistic strivings are complex and ambiguous.