Abstract:
ABSTRACT
FACTORS INFLUENCING THE DEVELOPMENT OF
PERFECTIONISM
by
Kyra L. Davies
Master of Arts in Psychology
Psychological Science Option
California State University, Chico
Summer 2009
Research on the development of perfectionism is important because many
researchers have linked perfectionism and many types of psychopathologies. Therefore,
the current study attempts to predict perfectionism from adult attachment, parenting
styles and adult temperament. Perfectionism can be defined as a multidimensional trait
(e.g., personal standards, parental criticism and expectations, concern over mistakes,
organization and doubts about actions) that is characterized as having excessively high
personal standards. One hundred and fifty-four participants responded to the Frost
Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised
Questionnaire, the Parental Authority Questionnaire, and the Adult Temperament
Questionnaire. Insecure attachment styles, authoritarian parenting style and
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extraversion/surgency temperament style were analyzed in all of the regression models.
The results indicated that higher scores on the anxious attachment scale were the best
predictor for five dimensions of perfectionism and carried the largest beta weights in all
five regression models. The findings of the current suggest that individuals who have
characteristics of anxious attachment, such as fear of rejection, are likely to develop
characteristics of perfectionism.
