Values and perfectionism: There is more beyond achievement

This study focuses on the association between basic personal values and perfectionism. It explores how the 19 values of Schwartz's refined theory are related to multiple dimensions of perfectionism. A sample of 426 young adults (57.7 % females) with a mean age of 26.03 years completed the Portrait Value Questionnaire-Revised and Hewitt and Flett's and Frost et al.'s multidimensional perfectionism scales. Results showed that values and perfectionism are meaningfully related. Self-Oriented Perfectionism and Personal Standards, two forms of perfectionism that have adaptive aspects, exhibited the highest positive correlation with Achievement. Socially Prescribed Perfectionism and Concern over mistakes, two predominantly maladaptive dimensions, correlated most positively with Conformity-Interpersonal and Face. Other-oriented Perfectionism, a form of maladaptive perfectionism directed to others, correlated most positively with Power-Dominance and most negatively with Universalism-Tolerance. Organization correlated most positively with Conformity-Rules and most negatively with Stimulation. Although the observed associations were small to moderate, results from the present study add to our understanding of the compound nature of perfectionism, by providing a thorough coverage of the motivational goals underlying different forms and manifestations of perfectionism.