How does parental expectation lead a child from adaptive perfectionism to rebelliousness? I find many sources saying that parents with perfectionist ideals can ultimately push a child to shed his or her attitude of wanting to please their parents and become rebellious. What I cannot find is an explanation of the mechanism behind this change. Are there any theories or studies that attempt to explain this reversal of character?

Sources:

Rimm (essay)

Parents.com (article - anecdotal)
Childhood/adolescent rebelliousness could be explained by psychological reactance theory (Brehm, 1966) and self-determination theory (Ryan &amp; Deci, 2000). 

Psychological reactance theory, Brehm states:


  The idea fundamental to reactance theory, namely, that people become motivationally aroused by a threat to or elimination of a behavioral freedom. This motivational state is what is called psychological reactance. It impels the individual to restore the particular freedom that was threatened or taken away. It does not impel the individual to acquire just any freedom--only the one threatened or taken away will do.


Psychological reactance would be elicited when freedom is taken away, thereby motivating individuals to engage in oppositional behavior. It follows that it parents are perfectionist they would be more likely to take away freedom from their child. 

Self-determination theory:

Central to SDT are the basic psychological needs for autonomy, relatedness, and competence. When satisfied, these needs foster growth and psychosocial
adjustment. When frustrated, people would display maladjustment and psychopathology (Ryan &amp; Deci, 2000; Vansteenkiste &amp; Ryan, 2013).

Essentially "Don't tell me what to do"

Another idea is that parental pressure can create a lot of stress, and that rebelling or dropping out is simply a reaction to this stress. Stoeber &amp; Rambow (2007) found that:


  Parental pressure to be perfect and negative reactions to
  imperfection, are associated with the motivation to avoid failure and
  low well-being and thus may undermine healthy adolescent development.


However they do also go on to say:


  Not all aspects of perfectionism are neurotic, unhealthy, or maladaptive. On the contrary, strivingfor perfection can form part of a healthy pursuit of excellence (Shafran, Cooper, &amp; Fairburn, 2002) and may be adaptive in achievement situations where perfectionistic strivings could provide
  students with additional motivation to do their best and thus achieve better grades. 


It appears to me that children/ adolescents reaction to perfectionist parenting is not a change in character, but just a reaction to the environment that has been created for them.

References:

Brehm, J. W. (1966). A theory of psychological reactance.

Deci, E. L., &amp; Ryan, R. M. (2000). The" what" and" why" of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological inquiry, 11(4), 227-268.

Stoeber, J., &amp; Rambow, A. (2007). Perfectionism in adolescent school students: Relations with motivation, achievement, and well-being. Personality and individual differences, 42(7), 1379-1389.

Vansteenkiste, M., &amp; Ryan, R. M. (2013). On psychological growth and vulnerability: Basic psychological need satisfaction and need frustration as a unifying principle. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, 23(3), 263.