Dimensions of perfectionism that are generally considered to be maladaptive in nature (i.e., socially- prescribed perfectionism, perceived parental pressure, perceived coach pressure, and concern over mistakes perfectionism) were (a) positively correlated with body image subscales measuring appearance orientation, overweight preoccupation, and self-classified weight, and (b) negatively correlated with body image subscales measuring appearance evaluation and body areas satisfaction. In other words, skaters who scored higher on the maladaptive dimensions of perfectionism tended to have higher body image concerns. All dimensions of perfectionism were correlated with body image discrepancy. In other words, skaters with higher scores across all perfectionism dimensions tended to have larger discrepancies between perceived actual and ideal body image in comparison to skaters with lower perfectionism scores. Results of a series of multiple regression analyses revealed that concern over mistakes perfectionism and personal standards perfectionism were the most important predictors of attitudinal body image. According to the direction of the significant standardized regression coefficients, skaters who had higher levels of concern over mistakes perfectionism tended to have more negative attitudes towards their body image and were more dissatisfied with their body appearance. Examination of the significant standardized regression coefficients for personal standards perfectionism revealed that skaters who held high personal standards also held more positive attitudes towards their body image and were more satisfied with their body appearance, reinforcing the potentially adaptive function of personal standards perfectionism. A series of one-way MANOVA`s (with the three skating levels entered as independent variables, and the perfectionism subscales and body image subscales entered as dependent variables) revealed that the skaters in the three groups differed on measures of perfectionism and body image. Specifically, high performance and elite skaters had significantly higher scores skaters on self-oriented perfectionism and socially-prescribed perfectionism than developmental skaters. High performance skaters were also more concerned over making mistakes and perceived greater pressure to perform (from their coaches) than elite or developmental Finally, elite skaters were found to have significantly higher personal standards perfectionism scores and were more preoccupied with being overweight in comparison to high performance and developmental skaters.
© Copyright 2003 Alle Rechte vorbehalten.