The relationship between mothers’ perfectionism to predict their daughter’ self-efficacy and optimism

Aim of this research was to identify the relationship between mothers’perfectionism dimensions with daughters’ optimism and perfectionism in a student-sample. The research method was descriptive and correlative. Subjects included 350 female high-school students enrolled in Karaj city in the year 2009- 2010 Subjects were included mothers who were selected by random cluster sampling. The instruments of collecting information for daughters was life orientation optimism test of Scheier et. al. (1994) and general self-efficacy test of Sherer et. al. (1982), and for mothers was positive and negative perfectionism scale of Terry-Short et al. (1995). For data analysis used the methods of regression and correlation. Results showed that positive perfectionism had positive correlation with self-efficacy and optimism, and negative perfectionism had negative correlation with self-efficacy and optimism. Positive perfectionism creates realistic and rational expectations according to one’s abilities and limitations, and by self-reinforcement, and enhancement of self-confidence and self-esteem, it increases self-efficacy and optimism. On the other hand, negative perfectionism, by weakening self-esteem and self-confidence, affects optimism and self-efficacy in a negative way. Outcomes research in this paper will be fully explained.