Graduation Year
2021
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree
Ph.D.
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Degree Granting Department
Psychology
Major Professor
Marc Karver, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Jack Darkes, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Jamie Goldenberg, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Fallon Goodman, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Kim Gryglewicz, Ph.D.
Keywords
performance feedback, falling short of standards, negative life events, positive future thought, socially prescribed perfectionism, demoralization
Abstract
Negative performance feedback is relatively common and may be related to negative mental health outcomes, but there is a lack of sufficient experimental research. Further, little is known about the pathway by which effects emerge, or factors that may enhance or attenuate resilience to the effects of negative performance feedback. There is preliminary support for a cognitive pathway through appraisals of falling short of standards, but this specific model remains untested. Likewise, research suggests that perfectionism and positive future thinking may affect resilience in the context of negative performance feedback. The present study was among the first to experimentally test this integrated model. A total of 347 participants were randomly assigned to positive, negative, or neutral performance feedback and reported on perfectionism, positive future thinking, appraisals of falling short of standards, and demoralization. The model was partially supported; negative performance feedback contributed to greater demoralization through the hypothesized pathway of appraisals of falling short of standards. Socially prescribed perfectionism and positive future thinking did not moderate these relationships, but socially prescribed perfectionism did increase risk for appraisals of falling short of standards across feedback conditions. Exploratory analyses indicated that self-oriented perfectionism may increase vulnerability for appraisals of falling short of standards in the context of negative performance feedback. These results suggest compelling directions for future research and begin to clarify trajectories of vulnerability and resilience in the face of negative performance feedback.
Scholar Commons Citation
Bender, Ansley M., "An Experimental Study of Negative Performance Feedback: Consideration of a Cognitive Pathway and Individual Difference Factors" (2023). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/9956
