The role of parents and teachers in changing adolescents' perfectionism: A short-term longitudinal study

Although the important role of parents and teachers in the development of adolescent perfectionism is acknowledged, only few longitudinal studies have investigated this topic. Using a short-term longitudinal design with two waves spaced three months apart and a sample of adolescents, this study represents a first longitudinal investigation of parents and teachers as both risk and protective factors in perfectionism change. Results showed that perceived parental pressure predicted longitudinal increases in perfectionistic concerns and perceived anxious rearing predicted increases in socially prescribed perfectionism. Also, teacher support predicted longitudinal decreases in self-oriented perfectionism and in perfectionistic concerns. Implications of these findings for both research and practice are discussed.