Research Article

Dual Pathways of Perfectionism in Sport: The Roles of Achievement Goals and the Impostor Phenomenon in Predicting Sport Character

Volume: 12 Number: 1 March 30, 2026
TR EN

Dual Pathways of Perfectionism in Sport: The Roles of Achievement Goals and the Impostor Phenomenon in Predicting Sport Character

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to examine the direct and indirect relationships among athletes’ multidimensional perfectionism, achievement goals, the impostor phenomenon, and sport character using structural equation modeling. Method: A cross-sectional design was employed with a sample of 278 athletes (Mage = 22.16). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test direct and indirect paths simultaneously. Model fit was evaluated using standard fit indices (χ², CFI, TLI, RMSEA, SRMR). Results: Multidimensional perfectionism positively predicted achievement goals (β = 0.41) and strongly predicted the impostor phenomenon (β = 0.74). Achievement goals were positively associated with sport character (β = 0.29), whereas the impostor phenomenon negatively predicted sport character (β = −0.21). The model explained 16.9% of the variance in achievement goals, 54.7% in the impostor phenomenon, and 6.2% in sport character. The indirect effect of perfectionism on sport character via the impostor phenomenon was not significant. Conclusion: The findings indicate that perfectionism operates through parallel processes rather than a single mediational pathway. While achievement goals function as an adaptive mechanism enhancing sport character, the impostor phenomenon represents a maladaptive pathway associated with reduced character-related outcomes. The study provides an integrative model that brings together motivational and self-evaluative processes in explaining sport character, contributing to a more differentiated understanding of perfectionism in sport contexts.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Sport and Exercise Psychology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

March 30, 2026

Submission Date

March 1, 2026

Acceptance Date

March 29, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 12 Number: 1

APA
Terzioğlu, Z. A., & Kağan, S. (2026). Dual Pathways of Perfectionism in Sport: The Roles of Achievement Goals and the Impostor Phenomenon in Predicting Sport Character. International Journal of Sport Exercise and Training Sciences - IJSETS, 12(1), 40-55. https://doi.org/10.18826/useeabd.1900018
AMA
1.Terzioğlu ZA, Kağan S. Dual Pathways of Perfectionism in Sport: The Roles of Achievement Goals and the Impostor Phenomenon in Predicting Sport Character. Int J Sport, Exerc & Train Sci. 2026;12(1):40-55. doi:10.18826/useeabd.1900018
Chicago
Terzioğlu, Zeynep Ayça, and Sertan Kağan. 2026. “Dual Pathways of Perfectionism in Sport: The Roles of Achievement Goals and the Impostor Phenomenon in Predicting Sport Character”. International Journal of Sport Exercise and Training Sciences - IJSETS 12 (1): 40-55. https://doi.org/10.18826/useeabd.1900018.
EndNote
Terzioğlu ZA, Kağan S (March 1, 2026) Dual Pathways of Perfectionism in Sport: The Roles of Achievement Goals and the Impostor Phenomenon in Predicting Sport Character. International Journal of Sport Exercise and Training Sciences - IJSETS 12 1 40–55.
IEEE
[1]Z. A. Terzioğlu and S. Kağan, “Dual Pathways of Perfectionism in Sport: The Roles of Achievement Goals and the Impostor Phenomenon in Predicting Sport Character”, Int J Sport, Exerc & Train Sci, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 40–55, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.18826/useeabd.1900018.
ISNAD
Terzioğlu, Zeynep Ayça - Kağan, Sertan. “Dual Pathways of Perfectionism in Sport: The Roles of Achievement Goals and the Impostor Phenomenon in Predicting Sport Character”. International Journal of Sport Exercise and Training Sciences - IJSETS 12/1 (March 1, 2026): 40-55. https://doi.org/10.18826/useeabd.1900018.
JAMA
1.Terzioğlu ZA, Kağan S. Dual Pathways of Perfectionism in Sport: The Roles of Achievement Goals and the Impostor Phenomenon in Predicting Sport Character. Int J Sport, Exerc & Train Sci. 2026;12:40–55.
MLA
Terzioğlu, Zeynep Ayça, and Sertan Kağan. “Dual Pathways of Perfectionism in Sport: The Roles of Achievement Goals and the Impostor Phenomenon in Predicting Sport Character”. International Journal of Sport Exercise and Training Sciences - IJSETS, vol. 12, no. 1, Mar. 2026, pp. 40-55, doi:10.18826/useeabd.1900018.
Vancouver
1.Zeynep Ayça Terzioğlu, Sertan Kağan. Dual Pathways of Perfectionism in Sport: The Roles of Achievement Goals and the Impostor Phenomenon in Predicting Sport Character. Int J Sport, Exerc & Train Sci. 2026 Mar. 1;12(1):40-55. doi:10.18826/useeabd.1900018