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Exploring the Development of Perfectionistic Cognitions and Self-Beliefs

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Abstract

In a sample of 187 adolescent–parent pairs the relationships between parent behavior and adolescents’ self-reported perfectionistic tendencies (i.e., concerns over mistakes, doubts about actions and personal standards) and self-beliefs (i.e., self-esteem, contingent self-worth and labile self-esteem) were explored. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that adolescents’ tendency to doubt their actions was positively predicted by maternal self-reported psychological control and negatively predicted by adolescents’ perceptions of maternal involvement in their lives. A three-way interaction between paternal behavioral control, psychological control and acceptance positively predicted adolescents’ tendency to doubt their actions and their self-esteem. In addition, adolescents’ perceptions of paternal autonomy and involvement showed a negative association with their self-reported doubts about actions and concerns over mistakes respectively. This study provides support for the methodological value of examining both independent and interactive effects of both child and parent reports of parenting behavior.

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  1. School of Health and Human Performance, Dublin City University, Collins Ave., Dublin, 9, Ireland

    Siobhain McArdle

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  1. Siobhain McArdle
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Correspondence to Siobhain McArdle.

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The author would like to thank CTYI and Dr. Sheila Gilheany, DCU, for her support in conducting this research.

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McArdle, S. Exploring the Development of Perfectionistic Cognitions and Self-Beliefs. Cogn Ther Res 33, 597–614 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-008-9206-x

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