Exploring the Lived Experiences of Perfectionist Adolescents to Develop a Framework for Designing Dialectical Behavior Therapy-Based Interventions: A Phenomenological Study

Ranjkesh, Alireza; Barzegar Bafrooei, Kazem; Nazari, Ali; Fallah, Mohammad Hossein

doi:10.22055/psy.2024.46087.3218

Exploring the Lived Experiences of Perfectionist Adolescents to Develop a Framework for Designing Dialectical Behavior Therapy-Based Interventions: A Phenomenological Study

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Alireza Ranjkesh ¹

Kazem Barzegar Bafrooei ²

Ali Nazari ³

Mohammad Hossein Fallah ⁴

¹ Ph.D. Student in Counseling, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Yazd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran.

² Associate Professor, Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Education, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran.

³ Professor, Department of Design, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Yazd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran.

⁴ Associate Professor, Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Education, Yazd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran.

10.22055/psy.2024.46087.3218

Abstract

The present study aimed to explore and understand the lived experiences of perfectionist adolescents in order to provide a phenomenologically grounded basis for designing Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)-based interventions tailored to their psychological and developmental needs. A qualitative research approach was adopted using a descriptive phenomenological methodology. The study population comprised male junior high school students in Falavarjan County, Iran, during the 2021 academic year. Using purposive sampling based on predefined inclusion criteria, 20 male adolescents aged 13–16 years who demonstrated salient perfectionistic characteristics during the initial screening process were selected. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured individual interviews designed to elicit participants’ perceptions, emotions, thoughts, interpersonal experiences, and behavioral responses associated with perfectionism. Data collection continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. The interview data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven-step phenomenological method, which involved extracting significant statements, formulating meanings, organizing them into thematic structures, and integrating the findings into a comprehensive description of the phenomenon. The analysis resulted in six main themes, 13 first-level subthemes, and 28 second-level subthemes, reflecting the multidimensional nature of perfectionistic experiences during adolescence. The findings indicated that perfectionism extends beyond the pursuit of high standards and is intertwined with adolescents’ emotional, cognitive, academic, interpersonal, and personal experiences. Participants’ experiences revealed patterns involving heightened self-evaluation, fear of failure and negative evaluation, emotional distress, pressure related to academic and personal performance, difficulties in interpersonal relationships, and challenges in self-acceptance and emotion regulation. These dimensions highlight the complex interaction between perfectionistic cognitions, emotional vulnerability, behavioral responses, and interpersonal functioning during a critical developmental period. The findings provide a more comprehensive understanding of the subjective experience of adolescent perfectionism and identify clinically relevant domains that can be incorporated into DBT-based intervention frameworks. In particular, the results underscore the potential relevance of core DBT components, including emotion regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, and acceptance-oriented skills, for addressing the psychological and behavioral difficulties associated with perfectionism. Overall, the study provides a phenomenological foundation for developing developmentally appropriate and experience-informed therapeutic interventions aimed at reducing maladaptive perfectionistic patterns and promoting psychological adjustment among adolescents

Keywords

Adolescents

Lived experience

Perfectionism

Phenomenology

Qualitative research

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