ArticlePDF Available

Abstract

In today’s academic environment, there is a tenacious effort to better educate our children. Unfortunately, federal and local budget constraints often limit our ability to create highly effective learning environments. As educators, it becomes our task to identify cost effective activities that will have a positive impact on our student’s education. A child’s academic self-concept is an important factor to academic success. Further, the rating of performance and desire for perfection are activities found in most every academic situation. The purpose of the present study was to explore the influence of perfectionism on academic self-concept. From a sample of one hundred and thirty five college students, the present study found evidence that a student’s academic self-concept is positively influenced by high personal standards, being organized, and low self-doubt. Educators could consider incorporating cost effective activities known to influence organization skills, personal standards, and self-doubt into education curriculum.
192
© 2018 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved.
THE INFLUENCE OF PERFECTIONISM ON ACADEMIC SELF-CONCEPT
Michael A.
DeDonno1+
Karla Rivera-
Torres2
1Assistant Professor, Educational Leadership and Research Methodology.
College of Education, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca
Raton, FL. 33431, USA
2Doctoral student Graduate School of Education & Information Studies,
UCLA, 290 Charles E Young Drive, Los Angeles, CA. 90095,USA
(+ Corresponding author)
ABSTRACT
Article History
Received: 7 May 2018
Revised: 19 July 2018
Accepted: 29 August 2018
Published: 8 October 2018
Keywords
perfectionism
Academic self-concept
Academic achievement
Self-concept
Self-doubt
In today’s academic environment, there is a tenacious effort to better educate our
children. Unfortunately, federal and local budget constraints often limit our ability to
create highly effective learning environments. As educators, it becomes our task to
identify cost effective activities that will have a positive impact on our student’s
education. A child’s academic self-concept is an important factor to academic success.
Further, the rating of performance and desire for perfection are activities found in most
every academic situation. The purpose of the present study was to explore the
influence of perfectionism on academic self-concept. From a sample of one hundred and
thirty five college students, the present study found evidence that a student’s academic
self-concept is positively influenced by high personal standards, being organized, and
low self-doubt. Educators could consider incorporating cost effective activities known
to influence organization skills, personal standards, and self-doubt into education
curriculum.
Contribution/Originality: The present study contributes to existing literature related to college students’
academic self-concept. The study provides evidence of factors that may impact academic self-concept. Educators
should consider these factors when developing curriculum designed to optimize student performance.
1. INTRODUCTION
In fiscal year (FY) 2015, public elementary and secondary schools in the United States received $54.7 billion
from the federal government (Cornman et al., 2017). Despite this invest, the U.S. ranked 24th in science, and 39th in
mathematics performance in the 2015 Programme for International Students Assessment (Organization for
Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), 2016). As educators, we need to explore ways to improve
student success in a cost-effective manner. There is ample evidence that a student’s academic self-concept impacts
academic achievement (Reynolds, 1988; Khalaila, 2015; Meshkat and Hosseini, 2015). There is also evidence that
self-concept is a malleable trait (Markus and Kunda, 1986). It would seem that finding ways to improve academic
self-concept would be a worthwhile endeavor. The challenge becomes finding cost effective activities that could
increase academic self-concept. As part of this challenge, we investigated a personality trait that is part of most
academic situations.
Within the academic environment, the rating of performance is standard practice. Students are rated on most
every aspect of their academic career with an objective of performing at near perfect levels on multiple tasks and
activities. It’s not unusual for teachers to hear students talk about the need to earn A’s. Does the need to be perfect
International Journal of Education and Practice
2018 Vol. 6, No. 4, pp. 192-199
ISSN(e): 2310-3868
ISSN(p): 2311-6897
DOI: 10.18488/journal.61.2018.64.192.199
© 2018 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved.
International Journal of Education and Practice, 2018, 6(4): 192-199
193
© 2018 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved.
help or hinder academic success? Evidence is mixed when exploring the relationship between perfectionism and
academic success (Elion et al., 2012; Rice et al., 2013; Cowie et al., 2018). It is possible that perfectionism may play
an indirect role in academic success through a student’s academic self-concept. The purpose of the present study
was to investigate the influence of perfectionism on a student’s academic self-concept.
1.1. Perfectionism
Characterized as a personality disposition, perfectionism is the act of striving for precision and having
exceedingly high expectations (Frost et al., 1990). Current evidence suggests perfectionism can be both problematic
and beneficial to performance (Martinelli et al., 2017; Akar et al., 2018). For example, Closson and Boutilier (2017)
found specific aspects of perfectionism to be associated with procrastination, while other factors were associated
with academic engagement.
A popular theoretical framework of perfectionism, the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS)
emphasizes high standards that are accompanied by overly critical evaluations of one’s own behaviors (Frost et al.,
1990). This is expressed in an over concern for mistakes and uncertainty regarding appropriate actions. Frost et al.
(1990) also believe perfectionists place a considerable value on their parents’ expectations and tend to
overemphasize order, organization, and neatness. The FMPS consists of six subscales; Concern for Mistakes (CM),
Personal Standards (PS), Parental Expectations (PE), Parental Criticism (PC), Doubts about actions (D), and
Organization (O). Researcher’s find the factors of the FMPS to be associated with either adaptive or maladaptive
perfectionism (Stallman and Hurst, 2011; Castro et al., 2017; Akar et al., 2018). Adaptive perfectionism can be
thought of as factors that enhance performance, while maladaptive perfectionism hinders performance. Adaptive
perfectionism includes two dimensions of perfectionism; Personal Standards, and Organization. Maladaptive
perfectionism includes four dimensions; Concern over Mistakes, Doubt, Parental Expectations, and Parental
Criticism.
In consideration of adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism, Rice et al. (2015) explored perfectionism on
longitudinal patterns of stress. In a sample of 432 college freshman, results revealed adaptive perfectionists were
likely to have low to moderate stress, while maladaptive perfectionists were more likely to experience high stress.
In addition, the low stressed adaptive perfectionists had higher grade point averages (GPAs) than other groups. In
another study, researchers investigated an association between perfectionism, self-esteem and personality
characteristics. Adaptive perfectionism was found to be associated with the personality characteristic of
conscientiousness. Maladaptive perfectionism was associated with lack of self-esteem (Stumpf and Parker, 2000).
1.2. Academic Self-Concept
Academic self-concept can be defined as incorporating ones feelings, perceptions, and attitudes relative to their
academic ability (Reynolds, 1988). It’s a measure of a student’s confidence in their academic abilities and is
associated with cognitive performance (Stankov and Lee, 2017) but also future academic goals (Wilson et al., 2014).
In a sample of 589 undergraduate students, Reynolds (1988) found a correlation between the students’ academic
self-concept and GPA. Meshkat and Hosseini (2015) investigated the relationship between academic self-concept
and test performance in a sample of 320 high school students. Results revealed a positive association between
academic self-concept and test performance. In another study of 170 nursing students, Khalaila (2015) found higher
self-concept to be directly associated with higher academic achievement.
1.3. Perfectionism and Academic Self-Concept
An individual’s academic self-concept is viewed as a sub-component of his/her self-concept. Specifically,
academic self-concept is specific to the academic domain, while self-concept is more of a general viewpoint. Bandura
(1997) stated “Self-concept is a composite view of oneself that is presumed to be formed through direct experience
International Journal of Education and Practice, 2018, 6(4): 192-199
194
© 2018 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved.
and evaluations adopted from significant others” (p. 10). Researchers have found relationships between
perfectionism and general self-concept (Eusanio et al., 2014) self-efficacy (Stoeber et al., 2008; Akar et al., 2018) and
self-esteem (Koivula et al., 2002). For example, in a study of 244 premed and medical students, researchers found a
negative relationship between perfectionism and academic self-efficacy, ultimately causing academic burnout (Yu et
al., 2016) In another study of 100 undergraduate students, Stoeber et al. (2008) found maladaptive perfectionism was
associated with low self-efficacy, while adaptive perfectionism was found to be associated with high self-efficacy.
The relationships between general self-concept, general self-efficacy, and perfectionism provides the foundation for
an investigation into factors that influence domain specific academic self-concept.
1.4. The Present Study
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the influence of perfectionism on a student’s academic self-
concept. It was hypothesized that, (H1) Maladaptive perfectionism will be negatively associated with academic self-concept,
and (H2) Adaptive perfectionism will be positively associated with academic self-concept.
2. METHODS
2.1. Participants
The sample included undergraduate students attending a private Southern United States university enrolled in
an introductory psychology course. One hundred and thirty-five participants (102 women, 33 men) with a mean
age of 20.19 (SD = 2.59, range: 18-34) completed the study. Three, 6, 68, 31, and 27 participants identified
themselves as American Indian / Alaska Native, Asian / Pacific Islander, Black, Hispanic, and White respectively.
2.2. Materials
The present study included the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS; Frost et al. (1990)) and the
Academic Self Concept Scale (ASCS; Reynolds (1988)). The FMPS is a 35 item Likert-type scale. The scale has six
subscales designed to highlight specific aspects of perfectionism. The Cronbach’s α estimate of reliability for the six
subscales ranges from .77 to .93 (Frost et al., 1990).
The Academic Self Concept Scale is a 40 item Likert-type scale developed to measure the academic aspect of
general self-concept in college students. The values range from 1 (strongly disagree) to 4 (strongly agree). The
scale includes 22 positively phrased “self-promoting” items and 18 negatively phrased “self-criticizing” items. The
Cronbach’s α estimate of reliability for the entire scale is .92 (Reynolds, 1988).
2.3. Procedure
The research protocol was approved by the university Institutional Review Board (IRB). Questionnaires were
prepared in a paper format and completed in a group setting in a standard classroom. Participants were given ample
time and instructed to complete the questionnaires to the best of their ability. At the start of the study, participants
reviewed and signed a research consent form. Upon receipt of the consent form, the researcher distributed an
envelope that contained the questionnaires. The participant completed the questionnaires, placed the documents
back in the envelope and inserted the envelope into a large box located by the door of the classroom. At the end of
each session, the researcher collected the envelopes from the box and prepared the documents for data input.
3. RESULTS
The mean score on the Academic Self-Concept Scale (ASCS) was 117.57 (SD = 16.06) which is consistent with
previously reported norms (Reynolds, 1988). The Cronbach’s α for the ASCS was .93. There were no gender
differences in scores on the ASCS.
International Journal of Education and Practice, 2018, 6(4): 192-199
195
© 2018 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved.
The mean score on the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS) was 84.32 (SD = 17.31) which is
consistent with previously reported norms (Frost et al., 1990). The Cronbach’s α for the FMPS was .77. There
were no gender differences in scores on the FMPS.
To investigate the associations between academic self-concept and the perfectionism sub-scales, a series of
Pearson correlations were computed. As shown in Table 1, academic self-concept was positively related to Personal
Standards (PS), and Organization (O). In addition, academic self-concept was negatively related with Concern over
Mistakes (CM), Parental Criticism (PC), and Doubts about actions (D). The four sub-scales that represent
maladaptive perfectionism (CM, PE, PC, D) were all related. Similarly, the two subscales that represent adaptive
perfectionism (PS, O) were related.
Table-1. Correlations between academic self-concept and perfectionism subscales.
CM
PE
PC
D
PS
O
ASC
Academic self-concept
-.247**
-.134
-.308**
-.512**
.360**
.392**
CM
Concern for Mistakes
-
.301**
.500**
.559**
.403**
.016
PE
Parental Expectations
-
.450**
.179*
.180*
-.009
PC
Parental Criticism
-
.494**
.006
-.146
D
Doubt about Actions
-
.000
-.144
PS
Personal Standards
-
.404**
O
Organization
-
**p < .01, * p < .05
(H1) Maladaptive perfectionism will be negatively associated with academic self-concept. To determine the unique
contribution of maladaptive perfectionism on academic self-concept, a stepwise multiple regression was performed.
The criterion variable was the score on the ASCS while the predictor variables were Concern over Mistakes (CM),
Parental Expectations (PE), Parental Criticism (PC), and Doubts about actions (D). Results revealed that Doubts
about actions was the only variable that significantly predicted academic self-concept, β = -.512, t(132) = -6.845,
p=.000. Doubts about actions also explained a significant portion of the variance in academic self-concept R= .512,
R2 = .262, F(1,132) = 46.857, p = .000.
(H2) Adaptive perfectionism will be positively associated with academic self-concept. To determine the unique
contribution of adaptive perfectionism on academic self-concept, a stepwise multiple regression was performed. The
criterion variable was the score on the ASCS while the predictor variables were Personal Standards (PS), and
Organization (O). As shown in Table 2, results revealed that Organization (Model 1) significantly predicted
academic self-concept. Organization also explained a significant portion of the variance in academic self-concept R=
.392, R2 = .154, F(1,132) = 23.984, p = .000. Results also revealed that Personal Standards and Organization
(Model 2) significantly predicted academic self-concept. Personal Standards and Organization also explained a
significant portion of the variance in academic self-concept R= .454, R2 = .206, F(1,132) = 17.021, p = .000.
Table-2. Regression Coefficients, adaptive perfectionism and academic self-concept
B
SE B
β
Model 1
Constant
86.226
6.527
Organization
1.318
.269
.392*
Model 2
Constant
71.078
8.169
Organization
1.004
.283
.299*
Personal Standards
.868
.295
.247*
* p < .005
International Journal of Education and Practice, 2018, 6(4): 192-199
196
© 2018 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved.
4. DISCUSSION
Adaptive perfectionism can be viewed as the desire to strive for achievement. Individuals with a tendency
towards adaptive perfectionism, are organized and have high personal standards. Maladaptive perfectionism can be
viewed as a tendency to doubt ones actions, be overly concerned about making mistakes, and not meeting
expectations.
With respect to the first hypothesis (H1), Maladaptive perfectionism was negatively associated with academic self-
concept. The maladaptive perfectionism subscale of Doubts about actions influenced academic self-concept.
Specifically, high Doubts about actions (i.e., high self-doubt) was associated with low academic self-concept.
Interestingly, the maladaptive subscales of Parental Expectations, Parental Criticism, and Concern over Mistakes
had no influence on academic self-concept. The finding that Doubts about actions influenced academic self-concept
is consistent with research that considers self-doubt to be a component of self-concept (Morony et al., 2013) and
anxiety (Stankov et al., 2014). However, the finding that Doubts about actions influenced domain specific academic
self-concept is an important finding. Educators could integrate cost effective classroom activities that have been
shown to reduce self-doubt. Writing about high-point experiences (Jennings and McLean, 2013) and consistent
affirmation of their capabilities (Fan and Williams, 2010) are two examples.
With respect to the second hypothesis (H2), Adaptive perfectionism was positively associated with academic self-
concept. The adaptive perfectionism subscales of Personal Standards and Organization influenced academic self-
concept. Specifically, high Personal Standards and Organization were associated with high academic self-concept.
This result provides further evidence to the value of personal standards to a child’s academic success. Researchers
have found high personal standards to be associated with academic achievement (Accordino et al., 2000) and
academic engagement (Shim et al., 2016). Educators may want to include a cost-effective task of creating high but
also appropriate personal standards as part of a curriculum.
The finding that Organization influenced academic self-concept is significant. The value of organization skills
can be found in studies of children with attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Langberg et al. (2008)
found an organization skills training program improved homework management skills in a sample of 4th to 7th
grade children with ADHD. Organization skills training that included note taking, use of daily planner, and binder
organization was part of a successful summer treatment program for adolescents with ADHD (Sibley et al., 2012).
The present study provides evidence to the value of organization skills to academic self-concept. Additional
research (Langberg et al., 2008) provides evidence to the value of organizational skills to general academic success.
It would appear that the inclusion of organizational skills training in a curriculum would yield multiple benefits to
academic achievement. Surprisingly, to our knowledge, most curriculums do not include organizational skills
training.
4.1. Study Strengths and Limitations
A strength of the research is its generality to the broader ethnic population which lies in the diversity of the
present sample consisting of 20% White, 50% Black, 24% Hispanic and 6% American Indian / Alaska Native, or
Asian / Pacific Islander. Some limitations of the research should be noted; there were a limited number of male
participants (24%) in the study. In addition, only undergraduate students from a Southern university were included
in the present research.
5. CONCLUSION
Future studies could explore the direct and indirect effects of perfectionism on academic achievement while
considering academic self-concept as a mediator. This could be of value in explaining the inconsistent findings of
the direct relationship between perfectionism and academic achievement. Additionally, as recommended by Yu et
al. (2016) and similar to research conducted by Chand et al. (2018) researchers could use cognitive behavioral
International Journal of Education and Practice, 2018, 6(4): 192-199
197
© 2018 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved.
therapy (CBT) to reduce maladaptive perfectionism. More specifically, researchers could create an intervention that
includes organization skills training and reduction self-doubt activities. Researchers could then explore changes in
perfectionism tendencies and the resulting increases in academic self-concept.
In today’s academic environment, there is a tenacious effort to better educate our children. Unfortunately,
federal and local budget constraints often limit our ability to create highly effective learning environments. As
educators, it becomes our task to identify cost effective activities that will have a positive impact on our student’s
education. The present study provides evidence that academic self-concept is influenced by setting high personal
standards, being organized, and having low self-doubt. Educators can include many cost-effective activities that
could help students set high and appropriate standards, be organized, and have reduced self-doubt. It is possible
that the most cost effective and potentially rewarding activity of an educator, beyond the act of teaching, is to
increase the confidence in his/her students.
Funding: This study received no specific financial support.
Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Contributors/Acknowledgement: Both authors contributed equally to the conception and design of the
study.
REFERENCES
Accordino, D.B., M.P. Accordino and R.B. Slaney, 2000. An investigation of perfectionism, mental health, achievement, and
achievement motivation in adolescents. Psychology in the Schools, 37(6): 535-545.Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1002/1520-6807(200011)37:6<535::aid-pits6>3.0.co;2-o.
Akar, H., Y.B. Doğan and M. Üstüner, 2018. The relationships between positive and negative perfectionisms, self-handicapping,
self-efficacy and academic achievement. European Journal of Contemporary Education, 7(1): 7-20.Available at:
https://doi.org/10.13187/ejced.2018.1.7.
Bandura, A., 1997. Self-efficacy: The exercise of control New York: W.H. Freeman and Company.
Castro, J., M.J. Soares, A.T. Pereira and A. Macedo, 2017. Perfectionism and negative/positive affect associations: The role of
cognitive emotion regulation and perceived distress/coping. Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 39(2): 77-
87.Available at: https://doi.org/10.1590/2237-6089-2016-0042.
Chand, S.P., J.T. Chibnall and S.J. Slavin, 2018. Cognitive behavioral therapy for maladaptive perfectionism in medical stude nts:
A preliminary investigation. Academic Psychiatry, 42(1): 58-61.Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40596-017-
0708-2.
Closson, L.M. and R.R. Boutilier, 2017. Perfectionism, academic engagement, and procrastination among undergraduates: The
moderating role of honors student status. Learning and Individual Differences, 57: 157 -162.Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2017.04.010.
Cornman, S.Q., L. Zhou, M.R. Howell and J. Young, 2017. Revenues and expenditures for public elementary and secondary
education: School Year 201415 (Fiscal Year 2015): First Look (NCES 2018-301). U.S. Department of Education.
Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved from
https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2018/2018301.pdf.
Cowie, M.E., L.J. Nealis, S.B. Sherry, P.L. Hewitt and G.L. Flett, 2018. Perfectionism and academic difficulties in graduate
students: Testing incremental prediction and gender moderation. Personality and Individual Differences, 123: 223-
228.Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2017.11.027.
Elion, A.A., K.T. Wang, R.B. Slaney and B.H. French, 2012. Perfectionism in African American students: Relationship to racial
identity, GPA, self-esteem, and depression. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 18(2): 118 -
127.Available at: https://doi.org/10.1037/a0026491.
Eusanio, J., P. Thomson and S. Jaque, 2014. Perfectionism, shame, and self-concept in dancers: A mediation analysis. Journal of
Dance Medicine & Science, 18(3): 106-114.Available at: https://doi.org/10.12678/1089-313x.18.3.106.
International Journal of Education and Practice, 2018, 6(4): 192-199
198
© 2018 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved.
Fan, W. and C.M. Williams, 2010. The effects of parental involvement on students’ academic self-efficacy, engagement and
intrinsic motivation. Educational Psychology, 30(1): 53-74.Available at: 10.1080/01443410903353302.
Frost, R.O., P. Marten, C. Lahart and R. Rosenblate, 1990. The dimensions of perfectionism. Cognitive Therapy a nd Research,
14(5): 449-468.
Jennings, L.E. and K.C. McLean, 2013. Storying away self-doubt: Can narratives dispel threats to the self? Journal of Research in
Personality, 47(4): 317-329.Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2013.02.006.
Khalaila, R., 2015. The relationship between academic self-concept, intrinsic motivation, test anxiety, and academic achievement
among nursing students: Mediating and moderating effects. Nurse Education Today, 35(3): 432-438.Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2014.11.001.
Koivula, N., P. Hassmén and J. Fallby, 2002. Self-esteem and perfectionism in elite athletes: Effects on competitive anxiety and
self-confidence. Personality and Individual Differences, 32(5): 865-875.Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/s0191-
8869(01)00092-7.
Langberg, J.M., J.N. Epstein, C.M. Urbanowicz, J.O. Simon and A.J. Graham, 2008. Efficacy of an organization skills
intervention to improve the academic functioning of students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. School
Psychology Quarterly, 23(3): 407 - 417.Available at: https://doi.org/10.1037/1045-3830.23.3.407.
Markus, H. and Z. Kunda, 1986. Stability and malleability of the self-concept. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,
51(4): 858-866.Available at: https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.51.4.858.
Martinelli, G., K. Kljajic, V. Franche and P. Gaudreau, 2017. The 2× 2 model of perfectionism: Assumptions, trends, and
potential developments. In J. Stoeber (Ed.), The psychology of perfectionism. London, England: Routledge. pp: 58-81.
Meshkat, M. and S.M. Hosseini, 2015. The relationship between academic self-concept and learning English in high school
students. Modern Journal of Language Teaching Methods, 5(4): 383-389.
Morony, S., S. Kleitman, Y.P. Lee and L. Stankov, 2013. Predicting achievement: Confidence vs self-efficacy, anxiety, and self-
concept in Confucian and European countries. International Journal of Educational Research, 58: 79-96.Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2012.11.002.
Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), 2016. PISA 2015 results in focus. Available from
https://www.oecd.org/pisa/pisa-2015-results-in-focus.pdf.
Reynolds, W.M., 1988. Measurement of academic self-concept in college students. Journal of Personality Assessment, 52(2): 223-
240.Available at: https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa5202_4.
Rice, K.G., F.G. Lopez and C.M.E. Richardson, 2013. Perfectionism and performance among STEM students. Journal of
Vocational Behavior, 82(2): 124-134.Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2012.12.002.
Rice, K.G., M.E. Ray, D.E. Davis, C. DeBlaere and J.S. Ashby, 2015. Perfectionism and longitudinal patterns of stress for STEM
majors: Implications for academic performance. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 62(4): 718-731.Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000097.
Shim, S.S., L.D. Rubenstein and C.W. Drapeau, 2016. When perfectionism is coupled with low achievement: The effects on
academic engagement and help seeking in middle school. Learning and Individual Differences, 45: 237 -244.Available
at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2015.12.016.
Sibley, M.H., B.H. Smith, S.W. Evans, W.E. Pelham and E.M. Gnagy, 2012. Treatment response to an intensive summer
treatment program for adolescents with ADHD. Journal of Attention Disorders, 16(6): 443-448.Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054711433424.
Stallman, H.M. and C.P. Hurst, 2011. The factor structure of the frost multidimensional perfectionism scale in university
students. Australian Psychologist, 46(4): 229-236.Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1742-9544.2010.00010.x.
Stankov, L. and J. Lee, 2017. Self-beliefs: Strong correlates of mathematics achievement and intelligence. Intelligence, 61: 11 -
16.Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intell.2016.12.001.
Stankov, L., S. Morony and Y.P. Lee, 2014. Confidence: The best non -cognitive predictor of academic achievement? Educational
Psychology, 34(1): 9-28.Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/01443410.2013.814194.
International Journal of Education and Practice, 2018, 6(4): 192-199
199
© 2018 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved.
Stoeber, J., J. Hutchfield and K.V. Wood, 2008. Perfectionism, self-efficacy, and aspiration level: Differential effects of
perfectionistic striving and self-criticism after success and failure. Personality and Individual Differences, 45(4): 323-
327.Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2008.04.021.
Stumpf, H. and W.D. Parker, 2000. A hierarchical structural analysis of perfectionism and its relation to other personality
characteristics. Personality and Individual Differences, 28(5): 837-852.Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/s0191-
8869(99)00141-5.
Wilson, H.E., D. Siegle, D.B. McCoach, C.A. Little and S.M. Reis, 2014. A model of academic self-concept: Perceived difficulty
and social comparison among academically accelerated secondary school students. Gifted Child Quarterly, 58(2): 111-
126.Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/0016986214522858.
Yu, J.H., S.J. Chae and K.H. Chang, 2016. The relationship among self-efficacy, perfectionism and academic burnout in medical
school students. Korean Journal of Medical Education, 28(1): 49-55.Available at:
https://doi.org/10.3946/kjme.2016.9.
Views and opinions expressed in this article are the views and opinions of the author(s), International Journal of Education and Practice shall not be
responsible or answerable for any loss, damage or liability etc. caused in relation to/arising out of the use of the content.
Article
Full-text available
This research aimed to investigate the relationships between positive and negative perfectionisms, self-handicapping, self-efficacy and academic achievement. For this purpose, an extensive literature review was conducted and a model was suggested. Structural equation model was employed to test the model. The study group of the research consisted of 350 students studying at the Faculty of Muallim Rıfat Education at Kilis 7 Aralık University. The data was collected through positive and negative perfectionism scale, self-handicapping scale, self-efficacy scale and personal information form. Descriptive, correlation, path and bootstrap methods were used to analyze the data. As a result of the data analysis, it was revealed that students' positive perfectionism have a significant positive effect on their academic achievement and self-efficacy, while they have a significant negative effect on their self-handicapping. Besides, it was found that the negative perfectionism have a significant negative effect on their academic achievement and self-efficacy, and a significant positive effect on self-handicapping. Lastly, it was seen that self-efficacy and self-handicapping play partial mediation roles in the relationship between positive and negative perfectionism and academic achievement. Based on this result, it can be stated that positive and negative perfectionisms are significant variables which have direct and indirect effects on academic achievement.
Article
Full-text available
Objective To explore 1) if perfectionism, perceived distress/coping, and cognitive emotion regulation (CER) are associated with and predictive of negative/positive affect (NA/PA); and 2) if CER and perceived distress/coping are associated with perfectionism and if they mediate the perfectionism-NA/PA associations. There is a distinction between maladaptive and adaptive perfectionism in its association with NA/PA. CER and perceived distress/coping may mediate the maladaptive/adaptive perfectionism and NA/PA associations. Methods 344 students (68.4% girls) completed the Hewitt & Flett and the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scales, the Composite Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, the Profile of Mood States, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. Results NA predictors were maladaptive/adaptive perfectionism, maladaptive CER and perceived distress (positively), positive reappraisal and planning, and perceived coping (negatively). PA predictors were maladaptive/adaptive perfectionism and perceived distress (negatively), positive reappraisal and planning, positive refocusing and perceived coping (positively). The association between maladaptive perfectionism and NA was mediated by maladaptive CER/low adaptive CER, perceived distress/low coping. Maladaptive perfectionism and low PA association was mediated by perceived distress. High PA was determined by low maladaptive perfectionism and this association was mediated by adaptive REC and coping. Adaptive perfectionism and NA association was mediated by maladaptive CER and perceived distress. Conclusion CER and perceived distress/coping are associated and mediate the perfectionism-NA/PA associations.
Article
Full-text available
Based on research, academic self-concept and academic achievement are mutually interdependent. In this study, the aim was to find out if there is any relationship between the academic self-concept and learning English as a foreign language in students. The participants were 320 students studying in 4 th grade of high school in west of Mazandaran province which were chosen by using intact sampling method. The data collection instrument for academic self-concept was Academic Self-Concept Questionnaire (ASCQ) (Liu & Wang, 2005) which consists of 20 items. For obtaining data regarding the students’ achievement, an English test and a general test including three subjects of Arabic, Persian literature and Theology. The research findings showed a close relationship between academic self-concept and measures of academic achievement in both English and Grade Point Average. It is necessary to give sufficient and proper attention to self-concept and teachers should be offered methodological guidance in order to work on it through the educational process.
Article
Perfectionism involves impression management concerns, and yet perfectionistic-self presentation is often neglected when studying academic problems (e.g., communication anxiety). Research also focuses predominantly on undergraduate students, despite graduate degrees becoming increasingly common. This study tests incremental prediction of perfectionistic self-presentation on intrapersonal and interpersonal academic problems beyond trait perfectionism in graduate students. Participants (N = 269) completed self-report questionnaires of trait perfectionism, perfectionistic self-presentation, and academic difficulties (academic stress, imposter syndrome, and communication anxiety). A gender-balanced sample (52.4% women) allowed tests of gender moderation, which are often neglected in perfectionism research. Socially prescribed perfectionism uniquely predicted some, but not all, aspects of academic difficulties, and non-display of imperfection incrementally predicted all academic problems beyond trait perfectionism. Other-oriented perfectionism and perfectionistic self-promotion were negatively related to certain academic difficulties. Women showed greater imposter syndrome and academic stress, but results did not support gender moderation. Results support the unique importance of perfectionistic self-presentation in predicting academic problems in graduate students and highlight the need for continued research in this area.
Article
This study examined whether honors student status moderated associations between perfectionism and both academic engagement and procrastination among undergraduate students (N = 492, Mage = 21.83 years). Results revealed that perfectionism predicted academic engagement and procrastination, beyond the effects of conscientiousness and neuroticism. Self-oriented perfectionism (SOP) was negatively associated with procrastination but was positively associated with academic engagement, whereas socially-prescribed perfectionism (SPP) was positively associated with procrastination but was negatively associated with academic engagement. Honors student status moderated the relations between perfectionism and academic engagement. Specifically, the positive association between SOP and academic engagement was stronger for non-honors students than for honors students. In addition, the negative association between SPP and academic engagement was significant for honors students but not for non-honors students. The findings suggest that perfectionistic tendencies play an important role in understanding academic engagement, especially among honors students.
Article
Objectives Maladaptive perfectionism is associated with psychological distress and psychopathology. Medical students have been found to be particularly prone to maladaptive perfectionism. Recent research has indicated that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) that targets unhealthy perfectionism leads to reductions in perfectionism and related distress. This preliminary investigation aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a CBT program directed at medical students who had significant levels of maladaptive perfectionism. The impact on associated psychological distress was also assessed. Methods The study used a case series methodology with an A–B design plus follow-up. First-year medical students who screened positive for maladaptive perfectionism and consented for the study (N = 4) were assessed at baseline to evaluate the levels of maladaptive perfectionism, anxiety, and depression. They participated in an eight-session CBT program for reducing maladaptive perfectionism after a waiting period. Assessments were repeated post CBT and at 3- and 6-month follow up periods. ResultsResults indicated positive and durable effects on maladaptive perfectionism among program participants. Conclusion The current research provides promising results for the use of CBT in at risk medical students with maladaptive perfectionism.
Article
In this paper we summarize recent findings from large-scale international surveys (PISA and TIMSS) of relevance to the predictability gradient hypothesis (Stankov, 2013). Non-cognitive measures are divided into two groups on the basis of their correlation with mathematics achievement. Many have low (r < 0.20) correlations. The best predictors of cognitive performance are a cluster of self-beliefs consisting of confidence, self-efficacy, anxiety, and self-concept. These appear to be the most potent influences underpinning Cattell's (1987) investment theory of fluid and crystallized intelligence. Self-beliefs affect cognitive performance either as impediments (anxiety) or facilitators (good calibration of self-efficacy and confidence). This information about the role of self-beliefs can inform future efforts at intervention.