Perfectionism and Suicidal Preoccupation

Abstract

One hundred twenty-nine undergraduate students were assessed for suicidal preoccupation, using the Alabama Adolescent Health Survey (AAHS) and selected cards from the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT). They were also administered the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS) to assess perfectionistic tendencies. Objective scoring of the TAT was found to be highly reliable. Canonical correlational analyses were nonsignificant for a relationship between perfectionism and suicidal themes on the TAT. However, the more direct questions of the AAHS relating to suicide were significantly related to perfectionism. Results suggest that passive perfectionists who procrastinate out of fear of making mistakes are more likely to be preoccupied with suicide, unlike perfectionists whose strivings produce achievement. High personal standards and parental expectations do not appear related to suicidal preoccupations.

Positive Conceptions of Perfectionism: Approaches, Evidence, Challenges

“…Two studies used a different conceptualization (Hill et al, 2004;Lynd-Stevenson & Hearne, 1999). Following suggestions made by Adkins and Parker (1996), Lynd-Stevenson and Hearne (1999) conceptualized perfectionistic strivings as a combination of personal standards, parental expectations, and parental criticism, thereby including two facets that Frost et al had subsumed under maladaptive evaluation concerns. Following their own multidimensional model of perfectionism, Hill et al (2004) conceptualized perfectionistic strivings as a combination of striving for excellence, organization, planfulness, and high standards for others.…”

“…Today, almost 30 years after Hamachek published his seminal article, a large body of evidence has accumulated confirming that two basic forms of perfectionism can be distinguished. Even though these two forms have been given different labels-namely positive strivings and maladaptive evaluation concerns (Frost, Heimberg, Holt, Mattia, & Neubauer, 1993), active and passive perfectionism (Adkins & Parker, 1996), positive and negative perfectionism (Terry-Short, Owens, Slade, & Dewey, 1995), adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism (Rice, Ashby, & Slaney, 1998), functional and dysfunctional perfectionism , healthy and unhealthy perfectionism (Stumpf & Parker, 2000), personal standards and evaluative concerns perfectionism (Blankstein & Dunkley, 2002), and conscientious and self-evaluative perfectionism (Hill et al, 2004)-there is considerable agreement that perfectionism does not have to be negative, but can also be positive.…”

The relationship between perfectionism and engagement in preventive health behaviours: The mediating role of self-concealment

“…Many authors have investigated and supported a two factor model, encompassing positive/adaptive/healthy elements as well as negative/maladaptive/unhealthy ones (e.g. Adkins and Parker, 1996;Blankstein and Dunkley, 2002; Enns and Cox, 1999; Frost et al, 1993;Hill et al, 1997;Rheaume et al, 2000;Terry-Short et al, 1995;Rice et al, 1998;Slade, 1982;Slade and Owens, 1998;Slaney et al, 2002;Stumpf and Parker, 2000).…”

“…Many authors have investigated and supported a two factor model, encompassing positive/adaptive/healthy elements as well as negative/maladaptive/unhealthy ones (e.g. Adkins and Parker, 1996;Blankstein and Dunkley, 2002; Enns and Cox, 1999; Frost et al, 1993;Hill et al, 1997;Rheaume et al, 2000;Terry-Short et al, 1995;Rice et al, 1998;Slade, 1982;Slade and Owens, 1998;Slaney et al, 2002;Stumpf and Parker, 2000).Adaptive perfectionism, believed to be driven by a desire for success (Hamachek, 1978) has been characterised by a high level of organisation, high personal standards, conscientiousness and a desire to achieve personal goals (Slade and Owens, 1998). Adaptive perfectionists (when compared to maladaptive perfectionists) are believed to ruminate less, be less susceptibility to negative affectivity and engage in fewer self-critical evaluations in appraisal situations (Beiling et al, 2004; Enns et al, 2001;Rheaume et al, 2000).…”

Perfekcjonizm jako dążenie do doskonałości - definicje, typologie, modele

“…Stoeber i K. Otto (2006) proponują rozróżniać zdrowy perfekcjonizm cechujący się wysokimi aspiracjami i niskim poziomem obawy przed niedoskonałością, niezdrowy perfekcjonizm polegający na wysokich aspiracjach i wysokim poziomie obawy przed niedoskonałością oraz non-perfekcjonizm mający u podłoża niskie aspiracje. Z kolei K. Adkins i W. Parker (1996) rozróżniają perfekcjonizm pasywny, który utrudnia działania i występuje jako nadmierne zatroskanie błędami, wątpliwościami, charakteryzuje się tendencjami do opóźnienia działań i jest związany z wysokim ryzykiem zachowań samobójczych oraz perfekcjonizm aktywny, który promuje osiągnięcia i nie jest związany z intencjami samobójczymi. Później H. Stumpf wspólnie z W. Parker (2000) wyróżnił perfekcjonizm zdrowy, związany z sumiennością (rozumianą zgodnie z modelem "Wielka Piątka"), i niezdrowy, związany z niską samooceną.…”