There Is No “One Right Way”: Perfectionism, Imposterism, and Well-being in Child Life Training and Practice

Abstract

Child life specialists must integrate myriad skills into their work, tailor appropriate interventions with diverse clients of all ages, and be adaptable in their support and advocacy in stressful or traumatic situations. The pressure to meet high standards in their work may contribute to increased risk of burnout and impaired well-being. This mixed-methods study examined characteristics of perfectionism and imposterism among 151 child life specialists and students and the relationships between those characteristics and various aspects of well-being. Results indicated that characteristics of both perfectionism and imposterism were common among child life professionals, that the traits were associated with lower well-being, and in turn, higher risk of burnout. Qualitative data revealed that perfectionism and imposterism can negatively affect child life training, professional practice, and well-being, and may be a barrier in promoting diversity within the field.