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. 2012;7(7):e41043.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0041043. Epub 2012 Jul 30.

Perfectionism and anxiety: a paradox in intellectual giftedness?

Jacques-Henri Guignard  1 , Anne-Yvonne Jacquet, Todd I Lubart
Affiliations

Perfectionism and anxiety: a paradox in intellectual giftedness?

Jacques-Henri Guignard et al. PLoS One. 2012.

Abstract

Numerous authors reported a prevalence of perfectionism in gifted populations. In addition, an unhealthy form of perfectionism that leads to anxiety disorder has been described. Using self-report measures (CAPS and R-CMAS) with 132 children, we hypothesized that intellectually gifted children express a higher level of perfectionism and anxiety. Our results pointed out a paradox: the gifted group obtained a higher self-oriented perfectionism score than the control group in 6th grade, but present the same level of anxiety. In contrast, the gifted group showed the same level of perfectionism than non-gifted 5(th) graders, but reported a higher anxiety level. Thus, the interplay between perfectionism and anxiety appears to be more complex than a simple linear relationship in giftedness.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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