Perfectionism and Life Satisfaction

The current study aimed to provide further understanding of the relationship between three global perfectionism dimensions (self-critical, rigid and narcissistic) and life satisfaction, with further research into the gender (Males; n=52, Females; n=162) differences impact on the three perfectionism facets on levels of life satisfaction. The study examined varying levels of perfectionism and the interaction on life satisfaction. The variables were assessed through the administration of a self-report questionnaire. The questionnaires were distributed to the participants (n = 214) through social media and group messaging applications. The three global perfectionism facets were assessed using the Big Three Perfectionism scale (BTPS), while the Satisfaction with Life scale (SWLS) was used to assess levels of life satisfaction. The results indicated a significant negative correlation between self-critical perfectionism and life satisfaction, suggesting that participants that score lower for self-critical perfectionism have higher life satisfaction score than those who score higher on perfectionism, this was similar for moderate perfectionism scores having statistically higher life satisfaction levels than those that scored high on perfectionism. Neither rigid or narcissistic perfectionism had a significant relationship with life satisfaction, but the three predictor variables were significantly correlated. Rigid perfectionism increased the predicative power of self-critical perfectionism on life satisfaction. Gender differences were non-significant for life satisfaction, self-critical and rigid perfectionism. However, males scored significantly higher than females for narcissistic perfectionism. The results of the current study indicate a need to address ways of reducing self-critical perfectionism in order to increase life satisfaction levels