Examining the relationship between perfectionism and hopelessness levels in university students

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the relationship between perfectionism and hopelessness levels among university students studying in Turkey. It also examines how these psychological constructs relate to certain demographic variables, particularly gender. This study was initiated in response to the increasing need to understand the psychological effects of these traits within the context of Turkish higher education, where students often face multidimensional stressors such as academic pressure, career anxiety, and sociocultural expectations. By focusing on this group, the study aims to provide culturally informed insights into how perfectionism relates to hopelessness, and to contribute to the development of targeted psychological interventions for student populations. The sample consisted of 235 university students (81 male and 154 female) who voluntarily participated in an online survey. Data collected from the participants were analyzed using SPSS statistical software. The findings revealed no statistically significant relationship between adaptive perfectionism and hopelessness levels (p > .05). This result suggests that having high standards and striving for order may not necessarily be associated with a negative emotional state such as hopelessness. On the other hand, a statistically significant negative correlation was found between maladaptive perfectionism and hopelessness (r = -0.157, p < .05), indicating that individuals who experience higher levels of dissatisfaction and internal conflict are more likely to feel hopeless. Overall, these results emphasize the importance of distinguishing between different dimensions of perfectionism when addressing the psychological needs of university students. The findings highlight that maladaptive perfectionism may contribute to an increased risk of hopelessness, whereas adaptive perfectionism might not have the same detrimental effect. Therefore, psychological support programs designed to reduce hopelessness and promote well-being among students should take these differences into account. Future research should continue to explore how perfectionism functions within different cultural settings and whether its dimensions serve as risk or protective factors in relation to various aspects of mental health.

Keywords

• perfectionism
• hopelessness
• hope
• University student

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