Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this research was to examine the relationship of family cohesion and flexibility with dimension of perfectionism in guidance school students.

Method: In a correlational study 313 guidance school students (164 boys and 149 girls) in the city of Shiraz who were selected using multistage randomized cluster sampling, completed the Perfectionism Questionnaire, Family Cohesion Questionnaire and Family Flexibility Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using simultaneous multiple regression.

Results: Simultaneous regression analysis showed that only family cohesion predicted the increase in positive dimensions of perfectionism and its three aspects (aiming at perfection, target orientation, and organization) (p<0.001). Family flexibility predicted the increase in positive (p<0.001) and negative (p<0.001) aspects of perfectionism.

Conclusion: In line with prior research, family cohesion predicted only positive outcomes. However, family flexibility showed a dual function by increasing both the negative and positive dimensions of perfectionism. The relationship of flexibility with negative dimensions of perfectionism might be due to the lack of frank emphasis of flexible parents on the wishes and desires of their children.