MATERNAL UPBRINGING AS A FACTOR OF PERFECTIONISM DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Background. The problem of perfectionism is fairly actual in the psychological science as high levels of this characteristic may become the reason of anxiety disorders and even depression. Recent research in the field proves that perfectionism may serve as a factor increasing the risk of suicidal bevavior, there are also data showing it provokes the development of children’s depression. The objective of this study is to find out the role of parental upringing in the development of perfectionism and analyze the relation between particular parental styles and perfectionism as well as the basic features of this relation. Method. The relationship between children perfectionism development and maternal rearing styles was learned with the help of correlation analysis (r-Pearson criterion) and strategy of finding differences (U-Mann-Whitney criterion). The following psycho-diagnostic tools were used: Multidimensional Scale of Perfectionism by P.L. Hewitt & G.L. Flett (adapted by I. Hrachova) and Multidimensional Scale of Perfectionism by R. Frost (adapted by N.G. Haranyan); the Questionnaire “Adolescents about Parents” by L.I. Vasserman, I.A. Gor’kovaya and Y.Y. Romitsyna (the adaptation of ADOR by E. Matejcek & P. Rican, 1983); the authors’ Questionnaire. Sample: 35 adolescents (19 males and 16 females), students of 9-11 classes. Results. Mother’s positive interest to a child (in children’s perception) is related with such components of perfectionism as parents’ expectations (r = -.447 at p<.01), parents’ criticism (r = -.467 at p<.01), and organization (r = -.435 at p<.05) according to Frost’s model. Directiveness is related to parents’ expectations (r = -.444 at p<.01), parents’ criticism (r = -.376 at p<.01), and concern over making mistakes (r = -.405 at p<.01). Mother’s hostility is linked to parents’ expectations (r = -.389 at p<.05), parents’ criticism (r = -.497 at p<.01), children’s doubting of quality of their actions (r = -.449 at p<.01), and organization (r = -.43 at p<.05). Besides, inconsistency in upbringing is correlated to parents’ criticism (r = -.446 at p<.01) and children’s doubting of quality of their actions (r = -.587 at p<.01). Contrary to our expectations, no differences between groups of the participants from single children and firstborns and the rest of the sample were found. Conclusion. Parents’ demands, criticism and high expectations are related to their children being excessively critical to themselves and becoming perfectionists. The research provides clues for further explorations of perfectionism: on possible mediating factors of perfectionism development in single children and firstborns; cultural differences in perfectionism development as for more influential impact on it from mothers or fathers; and possible child’s characteristics which contribute to development of perfectionism when parents practice the same rearing style.

Keywords

• perfectionism
• upbringing
• positive interest
• directiveness
• hostility
• inconsistency.