No abstract

This study investigated categorization of perfectionism subtypes for Chinese undergraduates and the effects of perfectionism subtypes on career outcomes based on two prominent, competing models of perfectionism, the tripartite model and 2 × 2 model. Indices of career outcome were defined with career adaptability (positive) and career decision-making difficulties (negative). The results of both cluster analysis and latent profile analysis coincided with the four-subtype structure of the 2 × 2 model. The result of Bolck–Croon–Hagenaars modeling indicated that the pure high standard subtypes were the most functional while pure discrepancy subtypes were most dysfunctional. Mixed perfectionism subtypes were identified as having high career adaptability but also high risk for career decision-making while nonperfectionism subtypes possess low career decision-making difficulties but also low career adaptability. Based on these findings for perfectionism subtypes, we extrapolate practical recommendations for how this information could be pertinent to career counseling.