Browsing by Subject "tunnollisuus"

The traditional approach of perfectionism focuses merely on the pathological side of the concept. In this thesis, perfectionism is conceptualized as a multidimensional construct. According to the multidimensional model, perfectionism can be divided into two separate dimensions, maladaptive evaluative concerns and positive achievement strivings. The aim of this thesis was to distinguish between the maladaptive and adaptive sides of perfectionism by examining the connections between different dimensions of perfectionism and psychopathological symptoms, personality traits, and positive outcomes. The main interest was to find out to what extent perfectionistic achievement strivings can be described as a positive side of perfectionism and, on the other hand, how consistently the factor of evaluative concerns reflects the maladaptive side of perfectionism. Also, the meaningfulness of the division between maladaptive and adaptive forms of perfectionism is discussed. The harmfulness of perfectionism is mainly a consequence of concern over mistakes, uncertainty, socially prescribed actions and other factors associated with maladaptive evaluative concerns. On the other hand, more adaptive sides of perfectionism such as high personal standards, ambition and preference for order and organization are not solely responsible for the negative consequences of perfectionism. Positive achievement strivings and its subfacets seem to be connected both with maladaptive and adaptive qualities whereas maladaptive evaluative concerns are consistently correlated with psychopathological symptoms, personality disorders and other negative characteristics. Hence, instead of defining the dimension of positive achievement strivings as an adaptive side of perfectionism, it is better to be understood as a neutral form of perfectionism. In conclusion, according to the present studies of perfectionism there seems to be an overlap between maladaptive evaluative concerns and positive achievement strivings. Hence, it is crucial to define more accurately and in greater detail the concept of perfectionism and tighten the criteria for the dimensions attached to adaptive and maladaptive forms of perfectionism. Even though there is still confusion about depicting the categories of perfectionism, it is crucial to underline the multidimensional nature of perfectionism in order to deal more extensively with the subject.