The Pursuit of Perfection in Relationships: A Review of Perfectionism and Romantic Relationships

Abstract

Perfectionism is a personality trait characterized by individuals setting excessively high standards for themselves and those around them and avoiding making mistakes. In recent years, the effects of perfectionism on romantic relationships have received increasing academic interest. This study comprehensively reviews the current literature on the effects of perfectionism on interpersonal relationships and its relationship with various variables such as relationship satisfaction, marital satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, forgiveness/unforgiveness, relationship adjustment, etc. in romantic relationships. In this context, the effects of perfectionism on both interpersonal and romantic relationships are discussed. In the reviewed studies, it has been stated that, in particular, other-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism are associated with interpersonal conflict, social disconnection, and hostility. In addition, there are many empirical studies that specifically maladaptive/negative perfectionism, socially prescribed perfectionism, and partner-focused and partner-determined perfectionism negatively affect relationship dynamics. It is recommended that future research examine the relationships between different dimensions of perfectionism and romantic relationship processes, examine intervention strategies to reduce the negative effects of perfectionism on romantic relationships, and provide evidence on how this factor can be addressed in therapy processes. In conclusion, balancing perfectionism plays a critical role in maintaining healthy relationship dynamics, and interdisciplinary approaches need to be developed in this area.

Keywords

• perfectionism
• romantic relationships
• interpersonal relations

İlişkilerde Kusursuzluk Arayışı: Mükemmeliyetçilik ve Romantik İlişkilere Dair Bir Gözden Geçirme

Öz

Mükemmeliyetçilik, bireylerin kendilerine ve çevrelerindekilere yönelik aşırı yüksek standartlar belirlemeleri ve hata yapmaktan kaçınmalarıyla karakterize edilen bir kişilik özelliğidir. Son yıllarda mükemmeliyetçiliğin romantik ilişkiler üzerindeki etkileri giderek artan bir akademik ilgiyle incelenmektedir. Bu çalışma, mükemmeliyetçiliğin kişilerarası ilişkilerdeki etkilerini ve romantik ilişkilerde ilişki doyumu, evlilik doyumu, cinsel doyum, affetme/affetmeme, ilişki uyumu vb. gibi çeşitli değişkenlerle ilişkisini ele alan güncel literatürü kapsamlı bir şekilde gözden geçirmektedir. Bu bağlamda, mükemmeliyetçiliğin hem kişilerarası hem de romantik ilişkilerdeki etkisi ele alınmıştır. Gözden geçirilen çalışmalarda, özellikle, başkalarına yönelik ve sosyal düzene yönelik mükemmeliyetçiliğin kişilerarası çatışma, sosyal kopukluk ve düşmanlıkla ilişkili olduğu belirtilmiştir. Ayrıca özellikle uyumsuz/olumsuz mükemmeliyetçiliğin, sosyal düzene yönelik mükemmeliyetçilik ve partner odaklı ve partner tarafından belirlenen mükemmeliyetçiliğin, ilişki dinamiklerini olumsuz yönde etkilediğini yönelik görgül çalışmalar yoğunluktadır. Gelecek araştırmaların, mükemmeliyetçiliğin farklı boyutları ile romantik ilişki süreçleri arasındaki ilişkileri incelemesi, mükemmeliyetçiliğin romantik ilişkilerdeki olumsuz etkilerini azaltmaya yönelik müdahale stratejilerini incelemesi ve terapi süreçlerinde bu faktörün nasıl ele alınabileceğine dair kanıt sunması önerilmektedir. Sonuç olarak, mükemmeliyetçiliğin dengelenmesi, sağlıklı ilişki dinamiklerinin korunmasında kritik bir rol oynamakta olup, bu alanda disiplinlerarası yaklaşımların geliştirilmesi gerekmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• mükemmeliyetçilik
• romantik ilişkiler
• kişilerarası ilişkiler

Kaynakça

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