The Relationship between Perfectionism Dimensions and Coping Strategies in Postgraduate Clinical Psychology Students and Practitioners
Keywords:
Perfectionism Striving, Perfectionism Concern, Emotion-focused Coping,, Problem-focused Coping,, Dysfunctional Coping, Clinical PsychologistsAbstract
The aim of the study was to explore a relationship between perfectionism dimensions and coping strategies in postgraduate clinical psychology students and practitioners i.e. professionals of an emotionally challenging field. The population consisted of postgraduate clinical psychology students, and those who have recently completed the degree and had conducted some therapeutic sessions individually (N = 100, M = 3% & F = 97%). The measurement tools applied in this study were Frost Multidimensional Scale (FMPS) (FMPS; Frost., Marten., Lahart., & Rosenblate) and Brief Cope Inventory [2]. The research was descriptive correlational study and the statistical analyses was done through SPSS (version 22). The study was conducted during COVID-19 pandemic situation hence, data was collected through online medium. Both the hypotheses got rejected while the data supported newer findings which showed that both the perfectionism dimensions had a weak positive but statistically significant relationship with the dysfunctional coping (except organization). Moreover, results indicate that unemployed participants found to be more organized than those who were employed. The study would be of significant value in developing programs aiming at counseling mental health practitioners with using adaptive coping strategies. As when they enter the professional field they are expected to be perfect in their services, causing them to strive for better and to cope on their own for the sake of providing satisfactory interventions to their patients for their well-being.
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