Perceived effects of perfectionism on interpersonal relationship among Filipino college students

• Main Author: Sta. Ana, Oliver Baltazar
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2006
• Subjects: Interpersonal relations in adolescence > Philippines; Perfectionism (Personality trait) > Philippines
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/3397
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study explored the perceived effects of perfectionism on interpersonal relationship which at present has limited literature. The study employed qualitative research design namely, survey, interview, and case study. Participants were male and female engineering and psychology students from two universities in Manila. The presented results were derived by means of content analysis. Themes were identified and major trends among perfectionist students were observed and recorded. Findings showed that perfectionism has effects on interpersonal relationships. Perfectionism has interpersonal consequences which are considered as positive and negative. The positive interpersonal consequences of perfectionism according to student participants were: (1) they consider themselves as introverts and (2) they prefer to have a small group of friends. Perfectionist students also intend to have a limited number of friends which is associated with the desire to maintain manageable groups. Perfectionists also exhibited attributes of being influential and credible. They claimed that their peers liked them because they were excellent in group tasks. On the other hand, the negative interpersonal consequences of perfectionism were recorded as: being misunderstood by others, being object of annoyance, being disposed to quarrels and rejection by peers. This study thus recommends that guidance counselors provide psychoeducational program relevant to perfectionism among students. Furthermore, future studies can be conducted to explore relationship of perfectionism and level of frustration tolerance, as well as future research about the defense mechanisms used by perfectionists.