Perfectionism of gifted students’ long term psychological impact: A qualitative study

Rahmawati, Ajeng Intan Nur
Hidayah, Nur
Muslihati , Muslihati
Rahman, Diniy Hidayatur
Ariffudin, Imam

COUNSENESIA Indonesian Journal of Guidance and Counseling
Vol 7 No 1 (2026): COUNSENESIA 2026

Gifted students often perform under pressure and high expectations while also carrying perfectionistic standards. This study analyzes the psychological impact on gifted students and giftedness program alumni with high perfectionism. The research design used a phenomenological study and utilized a purposive sampling technique on five subjects. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, using thematic analysis assisted by NVivo 12 software. Validity testing in this study included journal reflections during the thematic analysis process and data triangulation. The results of this study indicate that there are short-term and long-term impacts. Both are the accumulation of perfectionism that continues to emerge and continues to become neurotic perfectionism.