Abstract
This study examined the degree to which perfectionistic strivings and perfectionistic concerns were related to dispositional optimism and pessimism following poor performances in sport among 99 female intercollegiate team-sport athletes (M age = 20.15 years, SD = 1.78). Perfectionistic strivings were measured with a composite score derived from the Personal Standards and Organization subscales of the Sport-MPS-2 (see Gotwals & Dunn, 2009). Perfectionistic concerns were measured with a composite score derived from the Concern Over Mistakes, Perceived Coach Pressure, Perceived Parental Pressure, and Doubts About Actions subscales of the Sport-MPS-2 (see Gotwals & Dunn, 2009). Optimism and pessimism were measured with a sport-modified version of the Life Orientation Test-Revised (Scheier & Carver, 1994). All subscales had acceptable levels of internal consistency (as > .83). Bivariate correlations revealed that perfectionistic strivings were not significantly correlated to optimism or pessimism. In contrast, perfectionistic concerns were negatively correlated with optimism (r = -.32, p < .005) and positively correlated with pessimism (r = .49, p < .005). Results of sequential regression analyses indicated that perfectionistic strivings were positively related to optimism (beta = .20, p < .05) and negatively related to pessimism (beta = .22, p < .05) when the overlap with perfectionistic concerns was controlled. Results provide further support for the adaptive role that heightened perfectionistic strivings can play in sport when the overlap with perfectionistic concerns is controlled (see Gotwals, Stoeber, Dunn, & Stoll, 2012).Acknowledgments: This research was supported by a grant from the Sport Science Association of Alberta.