Perfectionism and the five-factor model of personality: A meta-analytic review

Over 25 years of research suggests an important link between perfectionism and personality traits included in the five-factor model (FFM). However, inconsistent findings, underpowered studies, and a plethora of perfectionism scales have obscured understanding of how perfectionism fits within the FFM. We addressed these limitations by conducting the first meta-analytic review of the relationships between perfectionism and FFM traits (k = 77, N = 24,789). Meta-analysis with random effects revealed perfectionistic concerns (socially prescribed perfectionism, concern over mistakes, doubts about actions, discrepancy) were characterized by neuroticism (rc+ = .50), low agreeableness (rc+ = –.26), and low extraversion (rc+ = –.24); perfectionistic strivings (self-oriented perfectionism, personal standards, high standards) were characterized by conscientiousness (rc+ = .44). Several perfectionism-FFM relationships were moderated by gender, age, and the perfectionism subscale used. Findings complement theory suggesting perfectionism has neurotic and non-neurotic dimensions. Results also underscore that the (mal)adaptiveness of perfectionistic strivings hinges on instrumentation

Examination of Associations Among Personal Characteristics, Sexual Consent Discrepancies, and Sexual Satisfaction.

The communication of sexual consent (i.e., voluntary, conscious willingness to engage in sexual behaviour) has been linked with sexual satisfaction in the literature. Sexual satisfaction is defined as an overall assessment of the quality of one’s sex life, and sexual dissatisfaction is often a primary indicated reason why couples seek therapy. Although research has generally indicated that sexual consent is positively associated with sexual satisfaction, in reality, there is a complex conceptualization of sexual consent, which, in turn, likely affects the link between consent and satisfaction. Indeed, some individuals likely experience discrepancies between their internal sexual consent (e.g., feelings of willingness/desire) and their external sexual consent (e.g., what they communicate to their partner) and, as a result, may experience situations reflecting sexual compliance (i.e., externally consenting without internal desire). Discrepancies in sexual consent are presumed to negatively affect sexual satisfaction due to desires not being communicated or met, yet little research has directly examined this association. The proposed dissertation will thus examine sexual consent discrepancies and their associations with sexual satisfaction. To guide our understanding of these associations, we will utilize sexual communal strength theory, which stipulates that individuals who engage in undesired sexual activity for approach reasons (e.g., promote intimacy) will have higher sexual satisfaction compared to those who engage in undesired sexual activity for avoidance reasons (e.g., prevent arguments). Exploratory structural equation modelling will be used initially to examine statistical associations between interpersonal variables of interest (i.e., sexual assertiveness, sexual self-esteem, sexual communication self-efficacy, attachment, personality, emotion regulation), internal and external consent, approach and avoidance motivation, and sexual satisfaction. Response surface analysis (RSA), a methodology that examines the extent to which an outcome variable is linked to the degree of congruence between two predictor variables, will be used to identify how key interpersonal factors are associated with discrepancies between internal and external sexual consent. RSA will also be used to identify whether discrepancies between internal and external consent are associated with sexual satisfaction, and whether this association is moderated by approach or avoidance motivation. This research aims to inform clinical practice with individuals and couples experiencing sexual consent communication difficulties

Examination of Associations Among Personal Characteristics, Sexual Consent Discrepancies, and Sexual Satisfaction.

The communication of sexual consent (i.e., voluntary, conscious willingness to engage in sexual behaviour) has been linked with sexual satisfaction in the literature. Sexual satisfaction is defined as an overall assessment of the quality of one’s sex life, and sexual dissatisfaction is often a primary indicated reason why couples seek therapy. Although research has generally indicated that sexual consent is positively associated with sexual satisfaction, in reality, there is a complex conceptualization of sexual consent, which, in turn, likely affects the link between consent and satisfaction. Indeed, some individuals likely experience discrepancies between their internal sexual consent (e.g., feelings of willingness/desire) and their external sexual consent (e.g., what they communicate to their partner) and, as a result, may experience situations reflecting sexual compliance (i.e., externally consenting without internal desire). Discrepancies in sexual consent are presumed to negatively affect sexual satisfaction due to desires not being communicated or met, yet little research has directly examined this association. The proposed dissertation will thus examine sexual consent discrepancies and their associations with sexual satisfaction. To guide our understanding of these associations, we will utilize sexual communal strength theory, which stipulates that individuals who engage in undesired sexual activity for approach reasons (e.g., promote intimacy) will have higher sexual satisfaction compared to those who engage in undesired sexual activity for avoidance reasons (e.g., prevent arguments). Exploratory structural equation modelling will be used initially to examine statistical associations between interpersonal variables of interest (i.e., sexual assertiveness, sexual self-esteem, sexual communication self-efficacy, attachment, personality, emotion regulation), internal and external consent, approach and avoidance motivation, and sexual satisfaction. Response surface analysis (RSA), a methodology that examines the extent to which an outcome variable is linked to the degree of congruence between two predictor variables, will be used to identify how key interpersonal factors are associated with discrepancies between internal and external sexual consent. RSA will also be used to identify whether discrepancies between internal and external consent are associated with sexual satisfaction, and whether this association is moderated by approach or avoidance motivation. This research aims to inform clinical practice with individuals and couples experiencing sexual consent communication difficulties