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Early Childhood Family Experiences in Individuals with Pathological Perfectionism

https://doi.org/10.21603/sibscript-2026-28-2-312-325

EDN: HFJWCA

Abstract

Perfectionism is still subject to discussions regarding its ambivalent nature. Pathological perfectionism is experienced as an inability to fully enjoy life or achieve success, ultimately affecting the well-being and causing psychological issues. Pathological perfectionism is often associated with negative early childhood experience, including the mother–child attachment, but this correlation remains understudied. This article describes the early childhood experience of family relationships in people with pathological perfectionism, expanding scientific knowledge on the topic and facilitating the psychological counselling of patients with pathological perfectionism. The total sample comprised 175 participants aged 18–42 years (129 females, 46 males). The following research instruments were employed: Differential Test of Perfectionism (A. A. Zolotareva); Family Emotional Communications (A. B. Kholmogorova et al.); Questionnaire of Mother–Child Attachment (T. V. Kapustina et al.); Early Family Experience (adapted by R. V. Kadyrov). The results demonstrated strong correlations between the early childhood experiences and pathological, normal, and non-pathological perfectionism. Pathological perfectionists had experienced avoidant and disorganized mother–child attachment, and their early childhood experiences tended to be more unfavorable, compared to other groups.

About the Authors

Ulyana A. Tokar
Pacific State Medical University
Russian Federation

Vladivostok


Competing Interests:

The authors declared no potential conflict of interests regarding the research, authorship, and / or publication of this article.



Tatyana V. Kapustina
Pacific State Medical University
Russian Federation

Vladivostok

Scopus Author ID: 57188637910


Competing Interests:

The authors declared no potential conflict of interests regarding the research, authorship, and / or publication of this article.



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For citations:


Tokar U.A., Kapustina T.V. Early Childhood Family Experiences in Individuals with Pathological Perfectionism. SibScript. 2026;28(2):312-325. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.21603/sibscript-2026-28-2-312-325. EDN: HFJWCA

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ISSN 2949-2122 (Print)
ISSN 2949-2092 (Online)