Multidimensional Perfectionism Within Gifted Suburban Adolescents: An Exploration of Typology and Comparison of Samples

Researchers explored the typology of perfectionism among 153 (46% male, 54% female; 88% White, 8% African American, 5% Asian American, 4% Hispanic, 1% Other) suburban gifted adolescents and compared perfectionism scores (using the Goals and Work Habits Survey, a modification of Frost’s Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale [F-MPS]) to samples of gifted students from previous studies. Nonhierarchical k-mean cluster analyses revealed a three-type classification of unhealthy, functional, and nonperfectionists; unhealthy perfectionists displayed higher levels of avoidance internalized coping than functional perfectionists, but functional perfectionism was not differentiated by approach-oriented coping. Sample t-tests revealed that the present sample had significantly higher scores of perfectionism (especially unhealthy dimensions) than previous studies. Plausible explanations for higher perfectionism scores include the present educational climate and related cultural factors. Researchers recommend additional analyses of perfectionism among broader samples and enhancing the psychometric properties of the F-MPS, facilitating more practical application. Implications for addressing perfectionism are also discussed.