“It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times”: A Qualitative Investigation of Perfectionism and Drinking Narratives in Undergraduate Students

Perfectionism is a transdiagnostic risk factor for mental health and interpersonal difficulties, but research on perfectionism and alcohol use in emerging adults remains equivocal. Qualitative research methods are underutilized in this area, and inductive analysis of drinking narratives in undergrad...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychological reports 2018-12, Vol.121 (6), p.1013-1036
Main Authors: Nealis, Logan J., Mackinnon, Sean P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Psychological - physiology
Adolescent
Adult
Alcohol Drinking in College - psychology
Emotions - physiology
Female
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Male
Perfectionism
Qualitative Research
Students - psychology
Underage Drinking - psychology
Young Adult
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Summary:Perfectionism is a transdiagnostic risk factor for mental health and interpersonal difficulties, but research on perfectionism and alcohol use in emerging adults remains equivocal. Qualitative research methods are underutilized in this area, and inductive analysis of drinking narratives in undergraduate perfectionists may help clarify conflicting results and support novel approaches to quantitative inquiry in this area. We interviewed 20 undergraduates high in perfectionism (6 adaptive perfectionists and 14 maladaptive perfectionists) using a narrative interview, with analyses focusing on a situation involving alcohol use. We coded interviews for emergent themes using thematic analysis. Five themes emerged as follows: (1) drinking as a social experience, (2) suffering consequences, (3) learning from alcohol, (4) alcohol use as escapism, and (5) reluctance and moderation. Our results add to existing literature by highlighting the interpersonal conflict in perfectionistic people’s experience in relation to alcohol use during emerging adulthood. Results also suggest perfectionistic people may use alcohol and intoxication as a way to facilitate a “release” from unpleasant situations or emotions. Perfectionists reported both positive and negative experiences, which lends support for using a narrative perspective to help overcome preexisting assumptions about adaptive and maladaptive qualities of perfectionism.
ISSN:0033-2941
1558-691X
DOI:10.1177/0033294117745887