2017, Volume 9, Issue 2

Adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism and athletes’ attitudes toward doping and anti-doping policy in sport

Krzysztof Sas-Nowosielski¹, Aleksandra Budzisz<sup>2

1</sup>Chair of Humanistic Foundations of Physical Culture, University School of Physical Education in Katowice
²University School of Physical Education in Katowice


Author for correspondence: Krzysztof Sas-Nowosielski; Chair of Humanistic Foundations of Physical Culture, University School of Physical Education in Katowice; email: k.sas-nowosielski[at]awf.katowice.pl

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Abstract

The article explores two issues – perfectionism and attitudes toward doping in sport. The
study was aimed at verifying the thesis that perfectionism in its adaptive and maladaptive
forms may have an effect on athletes’ attitudes toward doping.

The study sample consisted of 110 athletes (43 females and 67 males). To test perfectionism the Adaptive and Maladaptive Perfectionism Questionnaire developed by Szczucka was used and to measure attitudes toward doping-free sport and anti-doping policies a questionnaire worked out by one of the authors. The effect of perfectionism on doping attitudes was measured.

There were significant differences in attitudes toward controls and sanctions between
men and women with men showing a more positive attitude. All regression models were
significant, explaining from 7% to 12% of variance in the attitudes. In all cases adaptive
perfectionism was a positive predictor of attitudes to doping. On the contrary, maladaptive
perfectionism was negatively correlated with attitudes; only in the case of attitude toward
controls the relationship was significant.

With the rise of adaptive perfectionism, i.e. the tendency to set oneself high personal
standards and strive for superb athletic performance, the probability of positive attitudes
toward anti-doping policy also rises.

Key words: doping, attitude, perfectionism