Unpacking the Relationship among Perceived Parental Rearing Styles, Perfectionist Tendencies and Self-criticism in University Students

Abstract

Perceived parental rearing styles and perfectionist tendencies can have significant impacts on a university student's well-being, academic performance, and overall development. This study was conducted with the aim to unpacking the relationship among perceived parental rearing styles, perfectionist tendencies and self-criticism in university students. A cross-sectional research design with stratified random sampling technique was used to investigate the relationship. The sample consisted of 300 participants that were selected from 3 different universities within the age range of 18 to 25 years. A 100 participant were chosen from each university on the basis of strata. Egna Minnen Betraffande Uppfostran Scale (Perris et al., 1980), perfectionist tendencies scale and self-criticism scale were used to collect data from the participants. The results revealed that emotional warmth by parents is positively correlated with perfectionist tendencies whereas it is negatively correlated to self-criticism. Work related perfectionism has a negative relationship with self-criticism and perfectionism towards self and others have a positive relationship with self-criticism. In conclusion, different parenting styles can influence how students perceive themselves and their abilities. Authoritative parenting tends to foster positive outcomes, while authoritarian, permissive, or neglectful parenting may contribute to various challenges.