How Perfectionism Determines Success or Failure: A Dual Pathway Mechanism Study on the Influence of Perfectionistic Climate on Performance of Elite Female Basketball Players in CUBAL

This study, based on the cognitive appraisal theory of stress, constructs a dual-pathway theoretical model called the Perfectionism-Performance Theory to examine the influence of perfectionistic climate on athletes' performance. The study empirically tests the relationships among the constructs in the model using a sample of 125 core players from the top-level women's basketball teams in the 24th CUBA L24 tournament in 2022. The findings reveal a double-edged effect of perfectionistic climate on athletes' performance. In the positive pathway, perfectionistic climate positively influences athletes' performance through challenge stressors and positive coping strategies. In the negative pathway, perfectionistic climate negatively affects athletes' performance through hindrance stressors and negative coping strategies. This study aims to enhance athletes' adaptation to perfectionistic climate and further improve individual and team performance.