Physical Appearance Perfectionism: Psychometric Properties and Factor Structure of an Assessment Instrument in a Representative Sample of Males.

Robin Rica,Emilio Juan Compte,Alba Moreno-Encinas,Ana Rosa Sepúlveda,Sara Foguet,María Solar

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.806460

Robin Rica, Emilio Juan Compte + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.806460

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Abstract

Perfectionism is a multidimensional construct with both positive and negative aspects. Recently, the concept of appearance-oriented perfectionism has been introduced, which is associated with body image dissatisfaction and weight and shape control behaviors. The Physical Appearance Perfectionism Scale (PAPS) is a 12-item two-factor instrument developed to assess this new dimension of perfectionism. The aim of the study is to validate the Spanish version of PAPS among a representative sample of 850 male university students in Spain (M = 20 years old; SD = 2.7). Exploratory and confirmatory factorial structure, internal consistency, convergent and concurrent validity, and associated predictor variables analyses have been carried out. Results showed that the Spanish version of the PAPS maintains the original factor structure with all items and proves to be a reliable instrument. Physical appearance-oriented perfectionism is associated with general perfectionism, higher body dissatisfaction, Eating Disorders and Muscle Dysmorphia symptomatology, and compulsive exercise, particularly in the Worry about Imperfection subscale. These variables also act as predictors of physical appearance perfectionism. The use of the PAPS-S and the analysis of its subscales is recommended in the context of body image-related pathologies such as Eating Disorders and Muscle Dysmorphia.

Highlights

Perfectionism is a multidimensional and multifaceted personality disposition characterized by striving for flawlessness and setting exceedingly high standards of performance accompanied by overly critical evaluations of one’s behavior (Frost et al, 1990; Hewitt and Flett, 1991; Stoeber et al, 2015)
An examination of modification indices suggested a crossloading for item 5 (“I worry that my appearance is not good enough”) onto the Hope for Perfection factor (MI = 195.66)
Item 5 had a significant loading onto the Worry About Imperfection factor, but it had a significant cross-loading onto the Hope for Perfection factor

Summary

Introduction

Perfectionism is a multidimensional and multifaceted personality disposition characterized by striving for flawlessness and setting exceedingly high standards of performance accompanied by overly critical evaluations of one’s behavior (Frost et al, 1990; Hewitt and Flett, 1991; Stoeber et al, 2015). This distinction is important, as only the components of the first dimension are related to psychopathology, such as negative affect, depression, anxiety, rumination and avoidance coping, emotional dysregulation, body image dissatisfaction (i.e., both muscularity and thinness oriented), compulsive exercise, obsessive-compulsive disorders, eating disorders (ED) or muscle dysmorphia (MD) (Frost et al, 1993; Grammas and Schwartz, 2009; Murray et al, 2012; Donahue et al, 2018; Bergunde and Dritschel, 2020; Çakin et al, 2021). The second component is related to aspects or avoidance-oriented perfectionistic concerns, linked to attempts to avoid imperfection, disapproval and criticism (Stoeber and Yang, 2015). Appearance-oriented perfectionism, as a specific domain, is positively associated, without sex differences, with social anxiety related to appearance, appearance disturbance, body shape disturbance, body image concerns, body weight control behaviors; and is negatively associated with body appearance self-esteem (Yang and Stoeber, 2012; Simon et al, 2022)

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