Exploring the Components of Psychological Inflexibility in Youth with Perfectionist Traits
Keywords:
Perfectionism, Psychological inflexibility, Youth, Cognitive rigidity, Emotional avoidance, Interpersonal strainAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to explore the key components of psychological inflexibility in youth with perfectionist traits, focusing on how cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and interpersonal processes contribute to maladaptive outcomes.
Methods and Materials: A qualitative research design was employed using semi-structured interviews with 26 participants aged 18–25 from Mexico who self-identified as having perfectionist tendencies. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling, ensuring diversity in gender, education, and socioeconomic background. Data collection continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically using NVivo 14 software. To ensure rigor, constant comparison, peer debriefing, and iterative coding were conducted, leading to the identification of central themes and subthemes.
Findings: Analysis revealed four overarching themes of psychological inflexibility in perfectionist youth: (1) cognitive rigidity, including black-and-white thinking, failure sensitivity, and rumination; (2) emotional avoidance, characterized by suppression of emotions, reliance on external validation, and detachment strategies; (3) behavioral control and avoidance, manifested in over-preparation, procrastination, rigid routines, and withdrawal from opportunities; and (4) interpersonal strain, encompassing fear of negative evaluation, conditional self-worth, and difficulties with collaboration. These findings indicate that perfectionist youth experience a reinforcing cycle where rigid standards amplify inflexibility, sustaining maladaptive coping and social disconnection.
Conclusion: The study demonstrates that psychological inflexibility is a central mechanism through which perfectionism leads to maladaptive outcomes in youth. By illuminating the lived experiences of young perfectionists, this research provides insights into how cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and interpersonal patterns interact to maintain inflexibility. The findings underscore the need for interventions, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, that cultivate psychological flexibility and support adaptive coping in perfectionist youth.
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