Abstract

This study examined the relationships among self-oriented perfectionism, socially prescribed perfectionism, coping styles, and psychological well-being and ill-being in professional dancers. A total of 2,226 vocational modern dancers (81.5% female; Mage = 34.24 years, SD = 6.24) participated in the study. Participants completed measures assessing multidimensional perfectionism, coping tendencies, psychological well-being, and psychological ill-being. The hypothesized model demonstrated acceptable fit indices, χ²(298) = 605.11, p < .001, χ²/df = 2.03, CFI = .90, TLI = .89, RMSEA = .068, and SRMR = .07. Results showed that self-oriented perfectionism positively predicted problem-focused coping (β = .53, p < .001) and psychological well-being (β = .22, p < .05), while negatively predicting avoidant coping (β = −.19, p < .05). Problem-focused coping positively predicted psychological well-being (β = .29, p < .05), whereas avoidant coping positively predicted psychological ill-being (β = .53, p < .001). In contrast, socially prescribed perfectionism positively predicted psychological ill-being (β = .17, p < .05). Bootstrapping analyses confirmed that problem-focused coping partially mediated the relationship between self-oriented perfectionism and psychological well-being (β = .15, p < .005), whereas avoidant coping fully mediated the relationship between self-oriented perfectionism and psychological ill-being (β = −.10, p < .05). These findings suggest that coping styles are key mechanisms linking perfectionism to mental health outcomes. Self-oriented perfectionism may foster adaptive functioning when paired with problem-focused coping, whereas socially prescribed perfectionism and avoidance exacerbate psychological distress. Interventions promoting adaptive coping and autonomy-supportive climates may therefore reduce maladaptive effects of perfectionism and enhance dancers’ psychological well-being.