The effects of multidimensional perfectionism and narcissistic personality traits on self-handicapping among university students

The main purpose of this study is to determine the predictive role of sub-dimensions of perfectionism (discrepancy, high standards, order) and sub-dimensions of narcissism (power, exhibitionism) on the self-handicapping. The second aim of the study is to examine the gender differences with respect to self-handicapping. The study group consisted of 583 Akdeniz University students. Sub-dimensions of Perfectionism (discrepancy, high standards, order), sub-dimensions of narcissistic personality (power, exhibitionism) and gender constitute the independent variables of the study. The dependent variable of the study is self-handicapping. "The Almost Perfect Scale" developed by Slaney, Rice, Mobley, Trippi and Ashby (2001) and adapted to Turkish by Öngen (2009); "Narcissistic Personality Inventory" developed by Raskin and Terry (1988) and adapted by Öngen (2010); "Self-Handicapping Scale" developed by Jones and Rhodewalt (1982) and adapted by Akın, Abacı and Akın (2010) and "Personal Information Form" were used for data collection. Data collection tools were applied to students in the spring semester of 2018-2019 academic year. The t-test analysis showed that there is no difference between males and females with respect to self-handicapping levels. The results of the correlation analyses showed that there is a medium positive relationship between self-handicapping and discrepancy sub-dimension of perfectionism; slightly positive relationship between self-handicapping and high standards sub-dimension of perfectionism; slightly positive relationship between self-handicapping and power sub-dimension of narcissistic personality; slightly positive relationship between self-handicapping and exhibitionism sub-dimension of narcissistic personality. There is no meaningful relationship between self-handicapping and order sub-dimension of the perfectionism. The results of basic and multiple linear regression analyses showed that the discrepancy sub-dimension of perfectionism and only the exhibitionism sub-dimension of narcissistic personality are the predictors of self-handicapping. Key words: Self-Handicapping, Perfectionism, Narcissistic Personality