Perfectionism in varsity college student-athletes and college students

Abstract

This study compared perfectionism as measured by the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS) of male and female general college students (n = 289) and Division I varsity student-athletes (n = 228). In addition, trait anxiety (SCAT), General Sport Orientation (GSOQ), and Reactions to Mistakes During Competition (RMDC) of athletes on interactive and coactive teams were examined. A 2 x 6 ANOVA was computed to determine the relationship between the two independent variables (student classification, gender) and the six dependent variables Overall Perfectionism (MPS), and MPS subscales Concern Over Mistakes, Personal Standards, Parental Expectations, Parental Criticism, and Doubts About Actions. A significant interaction effect (F (1, 506) = 6.00, p <. 05) was obtained for only the Parental Criticism subscale and found female athletes scoring significantly lower (p < .05) than both male athletes and female students.

Significant main effect differences found athletes scoring higher than general college students on Overall Perfectionism (F (1,467) = 4.27, p < .05) and the subscales Concern Over Mistakes (F (1, 501) = 7.12, p < .05), and Personal Standards (F (1,498) = 19.1, p < .01). Significant gender differences indicated that men scored higher than women on Overall Perfectionism (F (1,468) = 9.88, p < .01), and the subscales Concern Over Mistakes (F (1, 502) = 16.9, p < .01), and Personal Standards (F (1,499) = 10.7, p < .01).

Analysis of athletes by type of team (coactive n = 148, interactive n= 80) and gender on Overall Perfectionism and the MPS subscales produced no significant interaction effects or significant main effects by type of team. Significant main effects by gender, however, indicated that women athletes were significantly more 'Concerned About Mistakes" (F (1, 218) = 7.49, p < .01) and "Doubtful About Actions" (F (1,222) = 10.7, p < .01), but less affected by "Parental Criticism" (F (1, 119) = 3.93, p < .05) than male athletes.

Examination of Competitive Trait Anxiety (SCAT), Sport Orientation (GSOQ) and Reactions to Mistakes (RMDC) showed no interaction effects by type of team and gender. Significant main effect differences, however, were found by team with athletes on coactive teams scoring higher on Competitive Trait Anxiety than those on interactive teams. No main effect differences were found for GSOQ or RMDC subscales by team or gender. Differences in perfectionism of male and female varsity athletes, general college students and athletes on coactive and interactive teams were discussed.