THE EFFECTS OF PARENTING ON PERFECTIONISM AND INTOLERANCE TO UNCERTAINTY IN YOUTH AND ADULTS

Abstract

Objectives. Perfectionism and intolerance of uncertainty can be two elements that distort the optimal development of a child for his transformation into a successful adult. The objective of this study was to identify the relationship between perfectionism and intolerance of uncertainty, as well as establish the impact of parental support on them. Material and methods. This study was conducted on a sample of 247 respondents, 226 (91%) female, 20 (8%) male, and 1 respondent who did not state gender. The method used was the indirect survey, and the research instrument used was the questionnaire through which the three research variables were measured. Results were processed using statistical operations such as correlations, regressions, and ANOVA analysis of variance. Results. As the level of parental support decreases, the level of uncertainty intolerance increases (r = – .18, p = .006, p < .05). A significant effect of the respondent’s age on the level of intolerance uncertainty was established (F(6,81.84) = 2.96, p = .01, p < .05). As parental recognition of feelings decreases, intolerance of uncertainty increases. The performance induced by the parents is not associated with the level of perfectionism of the respondents. The increased level of intolerance of uncertainty was associated with an increased level of perfectionism (r = .35, p < .001). Conclusions. This study demonstrates the importance of parental support for reducing intolerance to uncertainty and, at the same time, for reducing the level of maladaptive perfectionism, according to which the young adult is constantly worried about aspects of life that cannot always be controlled.

Keywords

• intolerance of uncertainty
• perfectionism
• parental support