Perfectionistic Tipping Points: Re-Probing Interactive Effects of Perfectionism

Researchers have recently turned their attention to examining interactive effects of dimensions of perfectionism in sport and exercise. This is typified by research testing the 2 × 2 model of perfectionism (Gaudreau & Thompson, 2010) and the use of simple slopes analysis to probe statistically significant interactions. The aim of this study is to illustrate a different approach to probe statistically significant interactions, the Johnson-Neyman (J-N) technique, and how it can identify the specific level of evaluative concerns perfectionism at which the effect of personal standards perfectionism changes (termed the perfectionistic tipping point). To meet this aim, secondary analysis was undertaken of three samples that previously provided evidence of interactions between dimensions of perfectionism in predicting sport devaluation, dedication, enthusiasm, and expressive suppression. Using the J-N technique, perfectionistic tipping points were identified whereby the conditional effect of PSP became statistically significant for each outcome at low-to-moderate levels of ECP. In each case, the level of ECP was outside of the levels tested in the 2 × 2 model making it useful complementary information. Based on the findings, it is recommended that researchers report perfectionistic tipping points when probing significant interactions in the 2 × 2 model of perfectionism and when examining interactive effects of perfectionism, generally