The differential associations between self-critical perfectionism, personal standards perfectionism, and facets of restrictive eating

Abstract

The transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral model of eating disorders defines clinical perfectionism as unidimensional, despite a large body of literature demonstrating that perfectionism is multidimensional. Studies examining the associations between perfectionism dimensions and eating disorders have been mixed. The present study examined self-critical perfectionism (SCP) and personal standards perfectionism (PSP) in relation to two facets of restrictive eating to help clarify these relationships. Participants were 207 female undergraduates (Mage = 19.15, SD = 1.27). SCP and PSP were assessed as latent variables. The Eating Pathology Symptoms Inventory was used to assess cognitive restraint (attempts to restrict eating) and behavioral restriction (act of restrictive eating). Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the two-factor structure of SCP and PSP. Based on a structural model, SCP, the more maladaptive dimension of perfectionism, was uniquely related to behavioral restriction. In contrast, PSP, the less maladaptive dimension of perfectionism, was uniquely related to cognitive restraint. Based on these findings, there are differential associations between perfectionism dimensions and facets of restrictive eating. Researchers are encouraged to examine perfectionism as multidimensional to best understand these complex relationships.