Sibling Closeness and Similarity and the Presence of Perfectionism Jennifer L
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Antioch University AURA - Antioch University Repository and Archive Student & Alumni Scholarship, including Dissertations & Theses Dissertations & Theses 2013 Sibling Closeness and Similarity and the Presence of Perfectionism Jennifer L. Crowe Antioch University - New England Follow this and additional works at: http://aura.antioch.edu/etds Part of the Clinical Psychology Commons, and the Family, Life Course, and Society Commons Recommended Citation Crowe, Jennifer L., "Sibling Closeness and Similarity and the Presence of Perfectionism" (2013). Dissertations & Theses. 58. http://aura.antioch.edu/etds/58 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Student & Alumni Scholarship, including Dissertations & Theses at AURA - Antioch University Repository and Archive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations & Theses by an authorized administrator of AURA - Antioch University Repository and Archive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. Running head: SIBLINGS AND PERFECTIONISM i Sibling Closeness and Similarity and the Presence of Perfectionism by Jennifer Crowe B.A., Elmira College, 2007 M.S., Antioch University New England, 2011 DISSERTATION Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Psychology in the Department of Clinical Psychology of Antioch University New England, 2013 Keene, New Hampshire SIBLINGS AND PERFECTIONISM ii Department of Clinical Psychology DISSERTATION COMMITTEE PAGE The undersigned have examined the dissertation entitled: SIBLING CLOSENESS AND SIMILARITY AND THE PRESENCE OF PERFECTIONISM presented on July 15, 2013 by Jennifer Crowe Candidate for the degree of Doctor of Psychology and hereby certify that it is accepted*. Dissertation Committee Chairperson: Theodore J. Ellenhorn, PhD Dissertation Committee members: Gina Pasquale, PsyD James Graves, PhD Accepted by the Department of Clinical Psychology Chairperson Kathi A. Borden, PhD on 7/15/13 * Signatures are on file with the Registrar’s Office at Antioch University New England. SIBLINGS AND PERFECTIONISM iii Dedication To my family — thank you. SIBLINGS AND PERFECTIONISM iv Acknowledgements I would like to start by thanking my committee: Dr. Ted Ellenhorn, Dr. Gina Pasquale, and Dr. Jim Graves. I appreciate the time and support you have given me throughout this process. You have all been an important part of my journey through graduate school, and I will never forget how you have contributed to my growth and learning in unique ways. A special thank you to Ted, for letting me go through this process at my own pace and for being there with words of wisdom when I needed guidance. I would also like to thank the professors at Antioch who helped me grow throughout my four years of classes. It was a pleasure to be part of such a supportive environment where I felt as though you believed in me and wanted me to succeed. Next, thank you to my family and loved ones. You are the greatest group of people anyone could ask for and I could not have done this without you. A special thank you to my parents for encouraging me to reach greater heights. You stood behind me no matter what path I chose and supported me in so many ways over the years. Jess, there are no words to express all that you have given me. I appreciate your part in this process (to say the least). Without you and Adam, this dissertation would literally not exist. I am grateful to have you both as siblings and to have shared so much with you. Finally, thank you to my husband, Tom, for supporting me as I pursued my dream. You have given up a lot as I was earning my degree and have been nothing but understanding and encouraging. Thank you for being by my side every step of the way. SIBLINGS AND PERFECTIONISM v Table of Contents Dedication ..................................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................... iv Abstract ......................................................................................................................................... 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 2 Brief Overview of the Literature................................................................................................... 3 Siblings and Social Comparison ....................................................................................... 5 Social Comparison and Self-Evaluation ........................................................................... 7 Statement of the Problem .............................................................................................................. 8 Definition of Terms....................................................................................................................... 9 Perfectionism .................................................................................................................... 9 Closeness and Similarity ................................................................................................... 10 Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................................. 11 Purpose of the Study ..................................................................................................................... 11 Review of the Literature ............................................................................................................... 12 Sibling Relationship .......................................................................................................... 12 Perfectionism .................................................................................................................... 21 SEM Model and Siblings .................................................................................................. 31 Research Questions ....................................................................................................................... 36 Hypotheses .................................................................................................................................... 36 Method .......................................................................................................................................... 37 Participants ........................................................................................................................ 37 Procedure .......................................................................................................................... 38 Measures ........................................................................................................................... 39 Results ........................................................................................................................................... 42 Ancillary Analyses ............................................................................................................ 44 Discussion ..................................................................................................................................... 49 Similarity and Closeness Levels ....................................................................................... 52 Difference in Age .............................................................................................................. 53 Age .................................................................................................................................... 55 Birth Order ........................................................................................................................ 56 Sibling Pair Types ............................................................................................................. 56 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 57 Limitations ........................................................................................................................ 57 Future Directions .............................................................................................................. 59 References ..................................................................................................................................... 61 Appendix A ................................................................................................................................... 72 Appendix B ................................................................................................................................... 73 Appendix C ................................................................................................................................... 74 SIBLINGS AND PERFECTIONISM 1 Abstract This study explored whether characteristics of the sibling relationship are related to the level of perfectionistic tendencies that an individual reports. The framework of this study was based on Tesser’s Self-Evaluation Maintenance Model, which says that the effects of comparisons with a close other, such as a sibling, can be mediated in one of three ways: (a) by reducing the closeness of the relationship, (b) by improving one’s performance/impeding on the other’s performance, or (c) by decreasing