Perfectionism, Burnout, and Motivation in Dance: A Replication and Test of the 2×2 Model of Perfectionism

Abstract

The relationships between multidimensional perfectionism, burnout, and motivation were examined. In so doing, this study aimed to replicate and extend the study by Cumming and Duda (2012). Ninety-one ballet dancers completed questionnaires assessing the target constructs. Using cluster analysis, four profiles emerged that replicated Cumming and Duda's findings and generally supported Gaudrau and Thompson's 2x2 model of perfectionism. As such, these profiles represented pure personal standards perfectionism, mixed perfectionism, pure evaluative concerns perfectionism, and non-perfectionism. Extending previous literature, the four profiles were then compared on a range of burnout symptoms and motivational regulations. It was found that the four clusters differed significantly on these constructs, in a manner partly supportive of the hypotheses associated with the 2x2 model of perfectionism. In particular, our results reflect and extend those of Cumming and Duda, in that mixed perfectionism and pure evaluative concerns perfectionism did not differ on any of the measures. Thus, the higher personal standards of dancers exhibiting mixed perfectionism did not appear to be associated with better functioning than that experienced by dancers with pure evaluative concerns perfectionism. Altogether, the study extends our current understanding of perfectionism in dance and its potential effects, including those on burnout and motivation.

The 2 × 2 model of perfectionism and youth sport participation: A mixed-methods approach

“…However, it does feature in other approaches (e.g., relatedness in organismic approaches; see Allen, 2006). That this group identified sport as a means to feel valued and connected with others is a particularly novel finding in that it might explain why we find individuals exhibiting this subtype of perfectionism participating in sport when they also report other motivational qualities and experiences that suggest they may shun sport participation altogether (e.g., amotivation and burnout; Nordin-Bates, Raedeke, & Madigan, 2017;Madigan, Stoeber, & Passfield, 2016).…”

Change in basic need frustration in relation to perfectionism, anxiety, and performance in elite junior performers

“…The way EC relates to performance evaluations (ie, self‐critical and devaluate) may negatively influence the need for competence. Moreover, the need for competence might also be frustrated by the way the EC mind‐set monitors for critique and disapproval in feedback from others, and thus, further nurture feelings of inferiority and low self‐worth . In turn, these feelings of imperfection might influence interpersonal relations by a decrease in social status and, subsequently, frustrate the need for relatedness .…”

“…Previous person-centered studies of perfectionism in sport and performing arts have demonstrated similar findings, highlighting the importance of distinguishing between the levels of self-directed and socially derived underpinnings of perfectionism. 9,58,59 Evaluative concerns differed significantly between the different growth profiles in each of the three basic need frustration models, indicating that higher levels of EC were associated with higher levels of each basic need frustration. These findings are in line with previous research, which have consistently found EC to be associated with maladaptive motivational processes.…”

“…Moreover, the need for competence might also be frustrated by the way the EC mind-set monitors for critique and disapproval in feedback from others, and thus, further nurture feelings of inferiority and low self-worth. 59 In turn, these feelings of imperfection might influence interpersonal relations by a decrease in social status 61 and, subsequently, frustrate the need for relatedness. 62,63 In addition, as EC are linked to controlled, rigid, and neurotic behavioral regulations, EC might additionally nurture autonomy and relatedness frustration.…”

Perfectionism and Burnout in Sport and Dance

“…The relationships between multidimensional perfectionism, burnout, and motivation in ballet dancers were examined [25]. It was found that mixed perfectionism and pure evaluative concerns perfectionism did not differ on any of the measures.…”