Perfectionism and Grit in Competitive Sport

This study investigated the degree to which perfectionistic strivings and perfectionistic concerns were associated with two dimensions of grit—namely, consistency of interests and perseverance of effort—in a sample of 251 intercollegiate varsity athletes (Mage = 20.34 years, SD = 2.0). Perfectionism and grit were both conceptualized and measured as multidimensional domain-specific constructs. Results of structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses revealed that perfectionistic strivings was positively associated with consistency of interests (β = .49, p < .001) and perseverance of effort (β = .92, p < .001). In contrast, perfectionistic concerns was negatively associated with both consistency of interests (β = -.47, p < .001) and perseverance of effort (β = -.66, p < .001). Results highlight the importance of differentiating between athletes’ perfectionistic strivings and perfectionistic concerns in sport, as well as the importance of treating consistency of interests and perseverance of effort as separate components of grit. The results indicate that perfectionistic strivings more closely align with adaptive correlates for athletes in sport whereas perfectionistic concerns more closely align with maladaptive correlates in sport. Future research that examines the combined effects of perfectionism and grit on the achievement-striving process in competitive sport is recommended.