Is the “Almost Perfect Scale” Almost Perfect? The Psychometric Properties of the Arabic Version of APS-R and Its Short Form

Ibrahim Kira,Hanaa Shuwiekh,Kenneth Rice,Jeffrey Ashby

doi:10.4236/psych.2018.97109

Abstract

The goal was to evaluate the construct and predictive validity of the Arabic version of APS-R and check its invariance across genders and the English version supplied by one of the measure authors. We used its translated Arabic version, and measures of PTSD, complex PTSD (CTD), depression, and existential annihilation anxiety (AA), in a sample of 620 students from two Egyptian Universities. We conducted exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to test the APS-R’s construct validity and zero-order correlation, curve estimation regression to test its predictive validity, and Multigroup invariance analysis to check its invariance between languages and genders. The three-factor model did not fit well which made its structural validity questionable. However, the model fitted well for each dimension separately. The results indicated that striving for standards and order, and self-discrepancy are distinct measures, and each has good construct and predictive validity. Order and standards predicted linearly and non-linearly lower PTSD, CTD (post-cumulative trauma disorders), depression, and AA. Self-discrepancy predicted linearly and non-linearly higher depression, PTSD, CTD, and AA. The non-linear models accounted for more variance than the linear models. While the measures were strongly invariant across genders, they were partially invariant across the English and Arabic samples.

Highlights

Perfectionism is conceived as a personality trait and defined as “the striving for flawlessness” (Flett & Hewitt, 2002: p. 5)
We conducted exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to test the Almost Perfect Scale-Revised (APS-R)’s construct validity and zero-order correlation, curve estimation regression to test its predictive validity, and Multigroup invariance analysis to check its invariance between languages and genders
The results indicated that striving for standards and order, and self-discrepancy are distinct measures, and each has good construct and predictive validity

Summary

Introduction

Perfectionism is conceived as a personality trait and defined as “the striving for flawlessness” (Flett & Hewitt, 2002: p. 5). Several factor-analytic studies have consistently distinguished between a striving-for-perfection, which has mainly adaptive aspects, and a self-discrepancy, which is primarily maladaptive (e.g., Stoeber & Otto, 2006). These two aspects of perfectionism are conceptually and empirically different and incompatible to be included in one measure. Self-discrepancy (Higgins, 1987) is an internal mostly negative dynamics. No studies have yet explored the potential relationship between self-discrepancy, existential anxiety, and comorbidity. No studies have tested whether the relationships between self-discrepancy and these variables are linear or non-linear

Methods

Results

Conclusion