The Relationships between Positive and Negative Perfectionisms, Self-Handicapping, Self-Efficacy and Academic Achievement

This research aimed to investigate the relationships between positive and negative perfectionisms, self-handicapping, self-efficacy and academic achievement. For this purpose, an extensive literature review was conducted and a model was suggested. Structural equation model was employed to test the model. The study group of the research consisted of 350 students studying at the Faculty of Muallim Rifat Education at Kilis 7 Aralik University. The data was collected through positive and negative perfectionism scale, self-handicapping scale, self-efficacy scale and personal information form. Descriptive, correlation, path and bootstrap methods were used to analyze the data. As a result of the data analysis, it was revealed that students' positive perfectionism have a significant positive effect on their academic achievement and self-efficacy, while they have a significant negative effect on their self-handicapping. Besides, it was found that the negative perfectionism have a significant negative effect on their academic achievement and self-efficacy, and a significant positive effect on self-handicapping. Lastly, it was seen that selfefficacy and self-handicapping play partial mediation roles in the relationship between positive and negative perfectionism and academic achievement. Based on this result, it can be stated that positive and negative perfectionisms are significant variables which have direct and indirect effects on academic achievement.