Interactive effects of perfectionism on competitive golf performance: A multi-level analysis

Perfectionism is a multidimensional personality characteristic comprised of two higher-order factors termed perfectionistic strivings (PS) and perfectionistic concerns (PC). Research has typically found perfectionistic strivings to be related to better sport performance, while concerns are usually unrelated. However, many of the tests of this relationship use non-athletes, contrived tasks, and one-off performances, and have also focused on the separate, rather than interactive, effects of PS and PC. The present study was designed to address these limitations by testing the interactive effect of indicators of PS and PC in predicting performance across two rounds of competitive golf. Eighty-nine male golf athletes (M_age = 28.42 years, SD = 11.87) completed measures of perfectionism and then competed in a regional golf competition. Their cumulative score, relative to par, across two rounds determined their performance. Hierarchical linear modelling, nesting performances within individuals, holes, and rounds, showed a significant three-way interaction between self-oriented performance perfectionism (indicator of PS), socially prescribed performance perfectionism (indicator of PC), and round (b = 0.36, SE = 0.17, p = .039). At low levels of socially prescribed performance perfectionism, self-oriented performance perfectionism predicted improved performance; however, at high levels of socially prescribed performance perfectionism, self-oriented performance perfectionism predicted poorer performance. Findings highlight the importance of assessing the relationship between perfectionism and sport performance in real-world competitive contexts over time, while accounting for the interplay between indicators of PS and PC.