Abstract des Autors

In the current article, we revisit the role of perfectionism as a maladaptive factor in sports, dance and exercise behavior as an extension of our previous paper on the perils of perfectionism in sports and exercise. New findings described in this special issue are highlighted to illustrate the vulnerabilities of perfectionists and the various costs and consequences that can result from the inflexible and rigid pursuit of perfection and associated ways of evaluating the self and other people. While there is ample evidence of the potential destructiveness of perfectionism among athletes and dancers, we suggest that the current literature paints a more positive view of perfectionism than is warranted according to a person-centered view of the athlete or dancer who is highly perfectionistic. Our analysis focuses on areas of investigation that deserve to be more fully explored in order to gain a better understanding of the costs and consequences of extreme perfectionism, including the mental well-being and physical health of perfectionistic athletes and their ability to cope with injuries. Our analysis emphasizes the self and identity issues that differentiate perfectionistic overstriving from a healthier form of striving for excellence. Verf.-Referat