Glossary · Mental Health
Between high standards and burdensome pressure
Perfectionism refers to the pursuit of flawless performance, combined with high personal standards and critical self-evaluation. Research distinguishes between a more constructive striving for high quality and a burdensome form in which mistakes feel unacceptable and self-worth becomes strongly tied to performance.
Dance demands a high degree of precision and is often taught in an environment involving constant correction and comparison to an ideal – fertile ground for perfectionistic thinking. Studies with dancers distinguish between a more personal standard of achievement, which can coexist with psychological well-being, and a more externally driven form, centered on perceived expectations from teachers, parents, or the wider environment, which has been linked to burnout and lower vitality. The type of motivation appears to play a mediating role: when dance is pursued from internal drive, perfectionism is less often accompanied by exhaustion than when it is strongly carried by external pressure. The literature distinguishes in this context between "striving for excellence", which can be motivating, and "striving for perfection", which tends to be discouraging and has been linked to anxiety, low mood, or disordered eating.
Because burdensome perfectionism is a recognized risk factor for burnout and further psychological strain in dance, CENIT e.V. is committed to shaping teaching and feedback culture so that high standards do not come at the expense of psychological well-being. Knowing the difference between constructive striving and burdensome perfectionism makes it possible to intervene early, rather than accepting exhaustion as an inevitable price of high achievement.
This entry serves to convey knowledge in a prevention context and is not a substitute for psychological or medical advice. For persistent exhaustion or burdensome performance pressure, we recommend consulting professionals experienced in dance medicine or psychology – for example through ta.med's referral network or the resources provided by IADMS.
Atienza FL, Castillo I, Appleton PR, Balaguer I. Examining the Mediating Role of Motivation in the Relationship between Multidimensional Perfectionism and Well- and Ill-Being in Vocational Dancers. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(14):4945. doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17144945 · Nordin-Bates S. IADMS Resource Paper: Perfectionism. International Association for Dance Medicine & Science. iadms.org
