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Quaderni di Psicoterapia Cognitiva - Open Access

Studies and researches

No. 55 (2024)

A reflection on how perfectionism can influence the academic path of children and adolescents

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3280/qpc55-2024oa20376
Submitted
giugno 12, 2025
Published
2025-07-08

Abstract

The aim of this article is to offer a critical reflection on literature that has explored, from various perspectives, the influence of perfectionism on the school experience of children and adolescents. This is a narrative and non-systematic synthesis, intended to highlight the aspects of perfectionism that can support learning and those that, on the contrary, may hinder young people’s academic life, including the emergence of psychopathological conditions or dysfunctional behaviors such as self-handicapping and procrastination. The article also examines possible intermediate variables between academic performance and perfectionism, such as passion for the subjects studied and the resulting motivation to deepen one’s knowledge.
The goal is to provide a reasoned and accessible synthesis for professionals and practitioners, fostering greater awareness of the role that perfectionism can play in the academic journey of young people.

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