Imagining Yourself Dancing to Perfection? Correlates of Perfectionism Among Ballet and Contemporary Dancers

Abstract

The present study investigated perfectionism prevalence and its relationship to imagery and performance anxiety. Two hundred and fifty (N= 250) elite students (66.4% female;Mage= 19.19,SD= 2.66) studying mainly classical ballet or contemporary dance in England, Canada, and Australia completed questionnaires assessing perfectionism, imagery, and performance anxiety. Cluster analysis revealed three distinct cohorts: dancers withperfectionistic tendencies(40.59% of the sample), dancers withmoderate perfectionistic tendencies(44.35%), and dancers withno perfectionistic tendencies(15.06%). Notably, these labels are data driven and relative; only eight dancers reported high absolute scores. Dancers with perfectionistic tendencies experienced more debilitative imagery, greater cognitive and somatic anxiety, and lower self-confidence than other dancers. Dancers with moderate perfectionistic tendencies reported midlevel scores for all constructs and experienced somatic anxiety as being more debilitative to performance than did those with no perfectionistic tendencies. Clusters were demographically similar, though more males than females reported no perfectionistic tendencies, and vice versa. In summary, the present findings suggest that “true” perfectionism may be rare in elite dance; however, elements of perfectionism appear common and are associated with maladaptive characteristics.

Prevalence of Eating Disorders amongst Dancers: A Systemic Review and Meta‐Analysis

“…Research investigating the aetiology of eating disorders has identified a strong correlation between these disorders and specific personality factors, such a low self‐esteem (Arcelus, Haslam, Farrow, & Meyer, ), perfectionism (Penniment & Egan, ; Ringham et al, ) and high self‐standards (Gunnard et al, ). The high levels of perfectionism (Nordin‐Bates, Cumming, Sharp, & Aways, ; Zoletić & Duraković‐Belko, ) and low self‐esteem (Benn & Walters, ) found among dancers may explain why they appear to be more prevalent among this group of people. However, the findings in this area are somewhat mixed and inconsistent.…”

Within- and between-person predictors of disordered eating attitudes among male and female dancers: Findings from the UK Centres for Advanced Training

“…Still, it can be noted that the relationship between self-esteem and DEA-related variables in the literature outside of sport and dance is not entirely clear, and appears to differ between males and females (e.g., Furnham, Badmin, & Sneade, 2002). In the present study, we address a gap in the literature regarding potential sex differences in the predictive power of self-esteem and perfectionism via an investigation with young people in dance, a domain where perfectionistic tendencies are relatively commonplace (e.g., Nordin-Bates, Cumming, Aways, & Sharp, 2011).…”

Performance Psychology in the Performing Arts

“…Still, perfectionism prevalence has gained surprisingly little research attention. In a recent study of high-level dance students in ballet and contemporary training, most students could be categorized into clusters labeled as having perfectionistic tendencies or moderate perfectionistic tendencies; few students fell into the no perfectionistic tendencies cluster (Nordin-Bates, Cumming, Aways, & Sharp, 2011). However, such labels are based on averages and are data-driven; only a very small minority of participants reported agreement with each and every item on the questionnaire (i.e., were perfectionistic in every regard).…”

“…More studies exist to indicate that perfectionistic cognitions are associated with experiences such as anxiety (Carr & Wyon, 2003;Kenny, Davis, & Oates, 2004;Mor, Day, Flett, & Hewitt, 1995;Nordin-Bates, Cumming et al, 2011;Stoeber & Eismann, 2007;Wilson & Roland, 2002). Work in music indicates that perfectionism may be incompatible, or at least unhelpful, when it comes to artistry.…”

“…(Hays & Brown, 2004, p. 190) Th us, although much remains to be researched in regard to the correlates and outcomes of perfectionism, there is reason to believe that it is meaningfully related to variables commonly addressed in sport (e.g., anxiety) and more artistic ones (e.g., dramatic intent). How perfectionism is conceptualized and measured also matters greatly; as such, some studies appear to fi nd perfectionism to have mainly negative correlates (e.g., Carr & Wyon, 2003;Kenny et al, 2004;Mor et al, 1995;Nordin-Bates, Cumming, et al, 2011;Wilson & Roland, 2002), whereas others have also identifi ed some positive ones (e.g., intrinsic motivation; Stoeber & Eismann, 2007). Care is required in interpreting the fi ndings from any given study, because there is no consensus as to what perfectionism actually is.…”