The Relationship Between Perfectionism and Overexcitabilities in Gifted Adolescents

Overexcitabilities and perfectionism are often discussed within the context of gifted education, given that both are observed among gifted individuals. The present research (a) explored the relationships between overexcitabilities and dimensions of healthy and unhealthy perfectionism and (b) determined the extent to which overexcitabilities are predictor variables for perfectionism among 130 gifted adolescents. Findings revealed a significant relationship, especially between Emotional overexcitabilities and dimensions of perfectionism. High Emotional, high Intellectual Overexcitabilities, and low Imaginational Overexcitability were also predictor variables for dimensions of healthy perfectionism. Findings shed insight into the relationship of overexcitabilities and perfectionism in light of Dabrowski’s Theory of Positive Disintegration, particularly the notion of overexcitabilities propelling one to achieve higher levels and overcoming negative dynamisms (e.g., guilt, shame, and self-criticism) associated with perfectionism. The study also provides validation of the relationship between emotional vulnerabilities such as heightened sensitivities, intensities, and perfectionism.