Perfectionism, social problem-solving ability, and psychological distress

Perfectionism and burnout in junior elite soccer players: The mediating influence of unconditional self-acceptance

“…In particular, self-oriented perfectionism's association with adaptive aspects of coping (e.g. Flett, Hewitt, Blankstein, Solnik, & Van Brunschot, 1996, study one) may be especially important as effective psychological coping skills may have the potential to modify the appraisal processes responsible for the experience of anxiety (see Lazarus, 1999;Lazarus & Folkman, 1984;Lemyre et al, 2007). Although the robust nature of these potential resiliency factors has yet to be determined, one might speculate that self-oriented perfectionists may be ill equipped to deal with continuing achievement difficulties as investing a sense of self-worth in achievement striving is likely to lead to excessive strain on personal resources.…”

Personal Standards and Self-Critical Perfectionism and Distress: Stress, Coping, and Perceived Social Support as Mediators and Moderators

“…In addition, high-SC perfectionists fear interpersonal rejection and criticism from others, which is expressed through a defensive relational style that evokes more negative social interactions, and thus higher levels of daily stress (see Dunkley, Sanislow, et al, 2006;Flett, Hewitt, Garshowitz, & Martin, 1997;Zuroff et al, 2004). Individuals with higher SC perfectionism have a tendency to engage in avoidant coping resulting from their perceived inability to cope with stressful situations to their own and others' expectations and satisfaction (see Dunkley, Blankstein, Halsall, Williams, & Winkworth, 2000;Flett, Hewitt, Blankstein, Solnik, & Van Brunschot, 1996). An avoidant coping style, in turn, fails to address stressors directly, and thereby increases the severity and duration of stress, leading to a greater susceptibility to experience additional stressors (Carver & Connor-Smith, 2010;.…”

Trying to Be Perfect in an Imperfect World: Examining the Role of Perfectionism in the Context of Chronic Illness

“…Flett et al (1991) found that socially prescribed perfectionism was associated with lower self-esteem, whereas self-oriented perfectionism was associated with higher self-esteem. Other investigators have also documented links between PC and self-esteem (e.g., Ashby & Rice, 2002;Flett, Hewitt, Blankstein, Solnik, & Van Brunschot, 1996;Grzegorek, Slaney, Franze, & Rice, 2004;Klibert, Langhinrichsen-Rohling, & Saito, 2005;Mobley, Slaney, & Rice, 2005;Preusser, Rice, & Ashby, 1994;Rice, Ashby, & Preusser, 1996;Rice & Dellwo, 2002;Slaney, Rice, Mobley, Trippi, & Ashby, 2001;Stumpf & Parker, 2000). Interestingly, although the link between PS and higher levels of self-esteem has been replicated in some studies (e.g., Grzegorek et al 2004), it has not in others (e.g., Flett et al 1996).…”

“…In the context of chronic illness, coping strategies can be targeted at either approaching or avoiding the illness (Suls & Fletcher, 1985). Broadly, individuals elevated in PC tend to engage in avoidant coping because they view themselves as being incapable of meeting the demands of stressful situations (see Dunkley, Blankstein, Halsall, Williams, & Winkworth, 2000;Flett et al, 1996). Moreover, perfectionists' proclivity to engage in avoidant coping strategies also prevents them from employing more adaptive coping strategies, which further exacerbates and prolongs their experience of stress.…”