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Conceptualizations of Perfectionism, Health, and Well-Being: An Introductory Overview

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Perfectionism, Health, and Well-Being

Abstract

The notion that perfectionism may have important implications for health and well-being has begun to capture the attention of researchers worldwide. Indeed, research has indicated that perfectionism plays a critical role in early mortality and in the etiology and maintenance of numerous forms of psychopathology. Clearly, this is an area of research that merits our attention. In the introductory chapter to the first edited volume dedicated to the topic of perfectionism, health, and well-being, we present an overview of the issues concerning the conceptualizations of perfectionism, health, and well-being that sets the stage for understanding the complexities and controversies surrounding the role of perfectionism in health-related outcomes that are the focus of this book. After providing a comprehensive summary of the major themes and definitional issues surrounding perfectionism, we present a historical and contemporary introduction to different conceptualizations of health and well-being, highlighting the areas of relevance for understanding potential linkages to perfectionism dimensions. We next present an overview of the structure and organization of the book, summarizing how each chapter provides the latest perspectives and research on perfectionism, health, and well-being. It is our hope as editors that bringing together these contributions in the fields of perfectionism, health, and well-being into one volume will provide a unique and useful resource for readers that will stimulate further research, theory, and debate.

As of July 1, 2015, Fuschia Sirois is with the Department of Psychology, the University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, UK.

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Sirois, F., Molnar, D. (2016). Conceptualizations of Perfectionism, Health, and Well-Being: An Introductory Overview. In: Sirois, F., Molnar, D. (eds) Perfectionism, Health, and Well-Being. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18582-8_1

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