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Recent research has found that self-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism have distinct consequences for athletes. The purpose of the thesis was to extend this research by further examining their motivational consequences for athletes and identifying the psychological mechanisms that explain their divergent consequences. The first two studies suggested that the positive relationship between socially prescribed perfectionism and athlete burnout was mediated by the tendency to engage in validation-seeking and utilise avoidant coping, whereas the inverse relationship between self-oriented perfectionism and athlete burnout was mediated by the tendency to utilise problem-focused coping and eschew avoidant coping. Because these initial studies provided little evidence to suggest that self-oriented perfectionism has negative psychological consequences for athletes, the nature of self-oriented perfectionism and its consequences were examined more closely in two subsequent studies. A comparative study examining similarities and differences in the correlates of selforiented perfectionism and conscientious achievement striving found that while both include a commitment to high standards, self-oriented perfectionism also includes a concern over mistakes, fear of failure and negative reactions to imperfection. An experimental study examining the response of student-athletes II higher in this dimension of perfectionism to successive failures further suggested that, in comparison to those with lower levels of self-oriented perfectionism, those with higher levels of self-oriented perfectionism experienced a more pronounced increase in threat following an initial failure and reported withdrawing effort from the subsequent performance. The final two studies suggest that the divergent consequences of these two dimensions of perfectionism may also be explained by differences in the controllability of sources of self-worth and evaluative standards. In addition, in some instances, perceptions of the achievement climate may influence the self-criticism experienced by perfectionists. Collectively, this series of studies suggest that socially prescribed perfectionism will invariably lead to motivational and psychological difficulties for athletes. In contrast, such difficulties may not be inevitable for those with higher levels of self-oriented perfectionism; however, it may render athletes vulnerable to psychological difficulties when personal standards are not meet.

Perfectionism entails a salient cognitive component characterised by a ruminative response to imperfection. However, research examining the influence of this cognitive component in sport is limited. The broad aim of this thesis was therefore to extend previous research in perfectionism by examining the relationships between perfectionism, overthinking (e.g., perfectionistic cognitions) and emotions in the context of football. To achieve this aim, four empirical studies were conducted. The first study adopted a cross-sectional, survey-based design and found that perfectionistic cognitions predicted negative pre-competition emotions (anxiety, anger, and dejection) when controlling for self-oriented perfectionism (SOP) and socially prescribed perfectionism (SPP). The second study adopted a longitudinal, survey-based design and found that, at between-person level, perfectionistic cognitions were a mechanism by which SOP and SPP were significantly and positively related to pre-competition emotions (anxiety, dejection, excitement, anger, and happiness) and dimensions of anxiety (cognitive and somatic) and anger (feel anger, verbal anger, and physical anger). Also, at within-person level, SOP (but not SPP) predicted changes in perfectionistic cognitions, which in turn predicted changes in pre-competition anxiety, excitement, and anger, and dimensions of anxiety and anger. The third study adopted a mixed-methods approach to identify perfectionistic footballers and interview them about their psychological experiences pre-, during-, and post-performance. Perfectionistic footballers described experiencing a range of cognitions and emotions during the course of their performances. Because the three studies provided evidence that perfectionistic cognitions are likely to impact the emotional experiences of footballers, the fourth study examined the effectiveness of a self-help intervention in reducing perfectionism, perfectionistic cognitions, and negative pre-competition emotions. The findings demonstrated that SPP, perfectionistic cognitions, anxiety, anger, and dejection significantly reduced because of the intervention. Collectively, the thesis supports the notion that the cognitive component of perfectionism is important in contributing to negative pre-competition emotions for footballers.

Athletes are frequently reporting psychological ill-being including serious mental health issues such as depression. Research, then, has an important role in developing our understanding of psychological ill-being in athletes to help towards establishing preventative and intervening strategies. Therefore, the purpose of this thesis was to investigate potential correlates and antecedents of ill-being in athletes. In line with this aim, the first study presented a comprehensive systematic review of 59 studies that had examined depression in athletes. Prevalence of depression was varied (i.e., 11%-58% symptoms; 4%-34% clinical), correlates/risk factors were also identified (i.e., socio-demographic, life events, performance and career satisfaction, individual differences, interpersonal relationships and support, well-being and ill-being), and few studies had examined moderators of depression. Perfectionism was among the correlates identified and subsequently became the focus of this thesis in the context of football. The second study investigated the relationship between perfectionism, burnout and depression in youth footballers over three months. Findings revealed that socially prescribed perfectionism (SPP) had a reciprocal relationship with burnout symptoms, and depressive symptoms predicted SPP. The third study sought to establish whether the coach-created climate moderated the perfectionism – ill-being relationship. Findings revealed that a disempowering climate exacerbated reduced sense of accomplishment in youth footballers exhibiting high levels of SPP and self-oriented perfectionism (SOP). In the final study, qualitative methods were used to explore former professional footballer’s perceptions of being a perfectionist and how, in their view, it influenced their lives during their career. Findings illuminated the multidimensional nature of perfectionism and the football environment was thought to influence perfectionistic tendencies. In addition, findings similarly aligned with the concept of perfectionistic reactivity as participants discussed psychological, social and physical responses during times of challenge and adversity. Collectively, these studies suggest that perfectionism can be a vulnerability factor for ill-being in athletes. However, this relationship is complex with the situational context being especially important in understanding this relationship.