The role of parents in the perfectionistic tendencies of university music students

Abstract

Perfectionism is a complex multidimensional state with positive and negative outcomes. Research has identified that parents could influence perfectionistic inclinations, which may lead to increased levels of anxiety and ultimately lead to maladaptive tendencies. The aim of the study is to explore the role of parents in the experience of perfectionism in South African university music students. A total of 93 BA (Music) and BMus music students from four South African university music departments participated in the quantitative study by completing the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS). The data were analyzed according to the variables of academic institution, type of music degree, academic year of study, gender, home language, and main instrument. The results showed significant differences in BA (Music) students who scored significantly higher than the BMus students in the dimensions Parental Expectations and Parental Criticism, along with students from the African language group. The study provides valuable insight into the perfectionistic trends of South African undergraduate music students, with particular emphasis on the parental dimensions of perfectionism.