From Perfectionism Profiles to Career Adaptability Trajectories: A Longitudinal Person-Centered Study of Adolescents

In contemporary high-stakes environments, perfectionistic traits are increasingly prevalent among adolescents, impacting their career development. Drawing on Career Construction Model of Adaptation, this longitudinal, person-centered study examined how within-person combinations of perfectionistic strivings (PS) and perfectionistic concerns (PC) shape adolescents’ career adaptability trajectories and adapting behaviors ( N = 1,391; 51% female; M age = 15.32). Latent profile analyses identified five perfectionism profiles extending the 2 × 2 model. Latent class growth analyses revealed three trajectories—Decreasing High, Fast Decreasing Moderate, and Stable Low—which differed significantly in adapting behaviors. Latent transition analyses revealed that Personal Standards Perfectionists and Non-Perfectionists-B were more likely to follow higher trajectories, whereas Evaluative Concerns Perfectionists and Non-Perfectionists-A tended toward lower trajectories, with Mixed Perfectionists showing divergent patterns. Gender moderated these transitions: high PC constituted a risk factor for girls, while extremely low PS for boys. These findings underscore the need for profile-specific, gender-sensitive career interventions.