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Characteristics Of Perfectionism

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Perfectionism is a personality trait which presents itself differently depending on setting, and contexts. It has an array of definitions but has somewhat a universal definition which is the striving for perfection. The striving for perfection which has been looked at in several studies has shown that perfectionism can be broken up into two different types of perfectionism.(Hewitt & Flett, 1991, 2004). Perfectionism in the different studies was shown as a multidimensional characteristic which has been divided into maladaptive and adaptive perfectionism. ( Klibert Jennifer, Rohling ,Saito, 2005). These characteristics can be divided by healthy or unhealthy perfectionism (Szymanski,2001). This has been seen through subtle distinctions in the studies, and which have been through maladaptive, and adaptive perfectionism (Enns & Cox, 2002). The maladaptive aspect of perfectionism showed an unhealthier aspect of perfectionism which was the setting of high standards, and striving towards impossible goals which in the end determines one’s own self-worth (Burgess & DiBartolo,2015, Hewitt & Flett, 1991, 2004). Individuals who have this aura of inflexibility with standards, self- worth dependence, and a full perfectionist mindset seems to be more rigid in their thinking which develops this type of perfectionism as being unhealthy. Adaptive perfectionism seems to be more positively correlated with the flexibility which is accompanied by standards, goal striving, and the adjustment of

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