Self-criticism, Strivings and Aggressive Behavior in Spanish Children: The Two Sides of Self-Oriented Perfectionism

Abstract

This study analyzes the relationship between the two intrapersonal perfectionism dimensions (i.e., Self-Oriented Perfectionism-Critical, SOP-C, and Self-Oriented Perfectionism-Strivings, SOP-S) and the components of aggressive behavior (cognitive, emotional and motor) in a sample of 804 (48.3% females) Spanish students between the ages of 8 and 11 (M = 9.57; DE = 1.12). The Spanish versions of the SOP-C and SOP-S subscales of the Child/Adolescent Perfectionism Scale and the Aggression Questionnaire were used. Students with high SOP-C scored significantly higher (p < .001) than their peers with low SOP-C on all components of aggressive behavior. The magnitude of these differences (Cohen’s d index) ranged from .40 to .59. In contrast, non-significant statistical differences were found between students with high and low SOP-S. Moreover, logistic regression analysis revealed that SOP-C significantly and positively predicted high Hostility, Anger and Physical and Verbal Aggression, whereas none of these components were significantly predicted by SOP-S (95% CI). Results are discussed, taking into account the debate on the conceptualization and nature of intrapersonal perfectionism.

Profiles of Perfectionistic Automatic Thoughts and Aggression

“…Due to the absence of previous studies that have analyzed the relationship between PAT and the motor (i.e., physical and verbal aggression) and cognitive (i.e., hostility) components of aggressive behavior, results about these aggressive components will be discussed in light with the conclusions obtained by studies which examined the relationship between perfectionism traits and aggressive behavior. First, regarding the cognitive component of aggressive behavior, our results coincide with previous research which found a positive relationship between perfectionist traits and hostility in young students (García-Fernández et al, 2017; Vicent, Inglés, Gonzálvez, et al, 2019). Secondly, in respect of the association between PAT and physical aggression, it should be noted that perfectionist traits such as perfectionism oriented to others and socially prescribed perfectionism are positively and significantly linked to aggressive patterns such as physical aggression, including anger and hostility, caused by states of frustration (Stoeber et al, 2017).…”

“…Therefore, studies on perfectionism should be continued, since previous works have warned of its negative influence on affected individuals (Babapour et al, 2015; Flett & Hewitt, 2014). This appears to be caused by its cognitive, emotional, and behavioral foundations (Newman et al, 2019) and due to the association of multiple and diverse psychopathological constructs in both adults (Buzzichelli et al, 2018; Gautreau et al, 2015; Mahmoodi-Shahrebabaki, 2017) and children/youth (Inglés et al, 2016; Vicent, Inglés, & García-Fernández, 2019; Vicent, Inglés, Gonzálvez, et al, 2019).…”

“…Although researchers have yet to consider how PAT may relate to the cognitive and motor components of aggressive behavior, some studies have offered data on how perfectionism, a multidimensional and an intra- and interpersonal personality trait, is associated with hostility and physical and verbal aggression. For example, it has been observed in Spanish students aged 8–12, that high levels of perfectionism (either self-oriented or socially prescribed perfectionism) are related to high levels of anger, hostility, and physical and verbal aggression (García-Fernández et al, 2017; Vicent et al, 2018; Vicent, Inglés, Gonzálvez, et al, 2019). Similarly, in adults, it has been found that the perfectionist dimensions considered as maladaptative are related to aggressive behavior (Barnett & Johnson, 2016; Flett, Galfi-Pechenkov, et al, 2012; Stoeber et al, 2017), and that failure by subjects with maladaptive perfectionism, increases the risk of self-injury (Chester et al, 2014).…”

Influencia de la biblioterapia sobre el perfeccionismo infantil

“…También en la edad infantil, altos niveles de perfeccionismo se han relacionado con otros problemas de salud mental como es el caso de la conducta agresiva en sus componentes cognitivo -hostilidad-, fisiológico-emocional -ira-y motor (García-Fernández, Vicent, Inglés, Gonzálvez, & Sanmartín, 2017;Hewitt et al, 2002;Vicent, Inglés et al, 2019b;Vicent, Inglés, Sanmartín, Gonzálvez, & García-Fernández, 2018). Además, los niños perfeccionistas pueden estar más expuestos al malestar psicológico debido a la carencia de algunos recursos cognitivos que les servirían para desarrollar un afrontamiento efectivo del estrés (Oros, 2005).…”