The relationship between multidimensional perfectionism and pre-competition emotions of youth footballers. (July 2018) - Donachie, Tracy C.
Abstract: Objectives: Research has found that trait and dispositional perfectionism are related to pre-competition emotions. However, less is known about whether other aspects of perfectionism, such as perfectionistic cognitions, are related to pre-competition emotions. To address this limitation, the current study examined (i) the relationship between self-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism and pre-competition emotions, and (ii) whether perfectionistic cognitions predict pre-competition emotions after controlling for these two dimensions of perfectionism. Design: A cross-sectional survey. Method: Two hundred and six youth footballers ( M age = 15.54 years, SD = 1.93) completed self-report measures prior to their next competition. Results: Regression analyses revealed socially prescribed perfectionism was a positive predictor of anger, while self-oriented perfectionism was a positive predictor of excitement. After controlling for self-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism, perfectionistic cognitions were a positive predictor of anxiety, anger, and dejection. Conclusion: The findings suggest that perfectionistic cognitions are important in regard to pre-competition emotions. Highlights: Self-oriented perfectionism (SOP) was a significant positive predictor of excitement. Socially prescribed perfectionism (SPP) was a significant positive predictor of anger. Perfectionistic cognitions were a positive predictor of anxiety, anger, and dejection when controlling for time, SOP and SPP.