Positive perfectionism, a wolf in sheep's clothing : considerations for school counselors working with adolescents

This paper reviews the concept of positive perfectionism as a misnomer that negatively impacts adolescent students. The author acknowledges that the majority of research relative to perfectionism points to a multidimensional orientation of this construct. Often multidimensionality has been used to indicate that perfectionism has both positive and negative applications for individuals (DiBartolo, Li, & Frost, 2008). Primarily a deleterious construct, perfectionism has been strongly associated with psychopathology. The author would like to offer perfectionism as a multidimensional construct that is ultimately maladaptive and harmful. Additionally, the author recommends replacing the term positive perfectionism with the more accurate concept of striving for excellence. This literature review is intended to offer educators, specifically school counselors, insight toward identifying and helping adolescents struggling with perfectionism and well-being.