Dimensions Of Perfectionism Research Articles

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

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.

Perfectionism dimensions: A network analysis of their relationships with affect and obsessive-compulsive pathological personality traits.

This study investigated the associations of multidimensional perfectionism with positive affect and negative outcomes (affect and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder [OCPD] pathological traits) through network analysis. The sample consisted of 604 Brazilian adults aged 18-74 years. The network analysis showed that perfectionistic concerns (PC) is strongly and positively associated with negative outcomes, while perfectionistic strivings (PS) maintain positive associations with positive affect, but not negative affect. Negative affect seems to operate as a bridge between perfectionism and OCPD pathological traits, raising crucial questions about the antecedent and consequential role of affect for understanding perfectionism's development and the traits observed in individuals with OCPD. We discuss the limitations and strengths of the study.

Predicting adolescent perfectionism: The role of socio-demographic traits, personal relationships, and media.

BACKGROUNDThe present study investigated perfectionism from the bioecological model perspective as a multidimensional construct manifested in forms of excessively high personal standards, exaggerated worries about personal mistakes, doubt in one’s performance, oversized order and organization emphasis, and the importance of parental valuations and expectations.AIMTo investigate the relation between perfectionism; the quality of family, peer, and college relationships; and media usage and content interests.METHODSThe research was implemented in 2020 with 203 students (134 female, 66%) aged 18-25 years, enrolled at the University of Osijek in Croatia. The questionnaire had five parts: A) sociodemographic data; B) the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale; C) the “general life satisfaction” and “current situational life satisfaction” scale; D) family, peer, and college relationships quality scale; and E) media usage and content interests scale. All of the implemented instruments showed satisfactory reliability. A hierarchical regression analysis was implemented with the aim of establishing significant perfectionism predictors.RESULTSAge and gender were significant predictors of perfectionism. Participants with lower family relationship quality reported higher parental expectations and complaining as well as significantly higher doubts in personal performance and concern about mistakes. Similarly, a lower peer relationship quality predicted doubts in personal performance and stronger concerns about mistakes. The quality of college relationships positively predicted higher perfectionist personal standards and organization. General life satisfaction predicted higher concerns about mistakes, while current situational life satisfaction predicted higher levels of perfectionist organization. Media usage intensity had no significant effect. Adolescent interest in information-educational media predicted higher personal standards as well as concern about mistakes and organization. Higher interests in entertainment media content predicted more concern about mistakes, while interest in negative media content negatively predicted organization in adolescents. CONCLUSIONSociodemographic traits, relationships with family, peers and colleagues, as well as life satisfaction and media content interests represent significant adolescent perfectionism predictors, explaining 14%-28% of individual perfectionism dimensions.

Authoritarian parenting, perfectionism, and academic procrastination

We aimed to investigate the indirect effects of authoritarian parenting on academic procrastination through various dimensions of perfectionism, including concern over mistakes, doubts about one’s actions, high personal standards, and organisation. We conducted a survey of 743 college students in China to collect information on perceived authoritarian parenting, perfectionism, and academic procrastination. Social learning theory guided our exploration of whether perfectionism mediated the link between authoritarian parenting and academic procrastination. The results of structural equation modelling showed that among perfectionism dimensions, only concern over mistakes mediated the association between perceived authoritarian parenting and academic procrastination. Authoritarian parenting was positively associated with concern about one’s mistakes and high personal standards. Concern over mistakes was positively associated with academic procrastination, whereas personal standard and organisation were associated negatively with academic procrastination.

A Review on Perfectionism

Perfectionism is a personality trait that strives for high standards of performance and is accompanied by a tendency to critically evaluate oneself, which is closely related to individual mental health and has a profound impact on individuals’ work, study and life. Nevertheless, there are controversies in its nature and characters and whether its impact on mental health is positive or negative still exists in the domain of perfectionism, calling for further discussions. The article identifies key findings in the perfectionism literature, reviews and summarizes the current state of perfectionism research, including the conceptual dimensions of perfectionism, the cluster of perfectionism, and the negative and positive effects of perfectionism on mental health. Finally, several future research directions were discussed.

Perfectionism-related variations in error processing in a task with increased response selection complexity.

Perfectionists strive for a flawless performance because they are intrinsically motivated to set and achieve high goals (personal standards perfectionism; PSP) and/or because they are afraid to be negatively evaluated by others (evaluative concern perfectionism; ECP). We investigated the differential relationships of these perfectionism dimensions with performance, post-response adaptation, error processing (reflected by two components of the event-related potential: error/correct negativity - Ne/c; error/correct positivity - Pe/c) and error detection. In contrast to previous studies, we employed a task with increased response selection complexity providing more room for perfectionistic dispositions to manifest themselves. Although ECP was related to indicators of increased preoccupation with errors, high-EC perfectionists made more errors than low-EC perfectionists. This observation may be explained by insufficient early error processing as indicated by a reduced Ne/c effect and a lack of post-response adaptation. PSP had a moderating effect on the relationship between ECP and early error processing. Our results provide evidence that pure-EC perfectionists may spend many of their cognitive resources on error-related contents and worrying, leaving less capacity for cognitive control and thus producing a structural lack of error processing.

The Mediating Effect of Social Problem-Solving Between Perfectionism and Subjective Well-Being.

This study examined the relationship between perfectionism and subjective well-being (SWB) and dimensions of social problem-solving ability. The Almost Perfect Scale-Revised (APS-R), Social problem-solving Inventory-Revised (SPSI-R) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) were used to conduct a questionnaire survey of 202 Chinese adults. The results found that: (1) Subjective well-being was significantly negatively correlated with the discrepancy dimension of perfectionism and was also significantly negatively correlated with the negative problem orientation of social problem-solving. (2) The discrepancy dimension reflected in maladaptive perfectionism was significantly positively correlated with the negative aspects of social problem solving (Negative Problem Orientation, NPO; Impulsivity-Carelessness Style, ICS; and Avoidance Style, AS). (3) The negative problem orientation (NPO) dimension in SPSI-R, as a partial mediator, mediated the negative correlation between maladaptive perfectionism and subjective well-being. In conclusion, perfectionism and social problem-solving ability had different degrees of influence on the SWB of Chinese adults, and attention could be paid to dealing with discrepancy and how to reduce negative problem-solving tendency in education and clinical practice.

Self-Compassion as a Mediator Between Perfectionism and Life-Satisfaction Among University Students

Using a correlational method, this study investigates the mediation role of self-compassion in the relationship between perfectionism dimensions and life satisfaction among university students. A sample of 246 students (171 females and 75 males, M = 21.40 years, SD = 2.02) from several universities participated in the study. Turkish versions of the Almost Perfect Scale-Revised, the Self-Compassion Scale, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale were used as data collection tools. Using structural equation modeling, the results show that self-compassion fully mediates the relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and life-satisfaction. On the other hand, there is no significant relationship between adaptive perfectionism and life-satisfaction. The Bootstrap Method that was used to assess the magnitude of the indirect effects indicates that the indirect effect of self-compassion on the relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and life-satisfaction is significant. The implications of these findings for research and practice are discussed in line with the related literature.

Perfectionism and alcohol-related problems: The role of procrastination

Objective: College drinking is a significant individual and societal problem, and thus, identifying risk factors to alcohol-related problems has been an important line of inquiry. Adding to this rich literature, the current study examined whether perfectionism dimensions were associated with alcohol-related problems and whether a poor self-regulation process linked these associations. Participants: A total of 410 university students completed measures pertaining to perfectionism, procrastination, and negative consequences of alcohol use. Methods: Parallel mediation models were tested. Results: There was support for an indirect effect in the association between perfectionistic concerns and alcohol-related problems through susceptibility to temptation but not through pure procrastination or irrational procrastination. Perfectionistic strivings dimension was not associated with alcohol-related problems and this relation was not mediated by any procrastination dimensions. Conclusions: Building internal resources to better resist immediately gratifying yet long-run detrimental behavioral habits is important, especially so for highly self-critical students.

Are “not just-right experiences” trait and/or state marker for obsessive-compulsive disorder?

Background and objectives“Not Just Right Experiences” (NJREs) are common phenomena in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), involving a feeling that something is ‘not right’ or as it should be. Some evidence suggests that NJREs may be an endophenotypic marker. This study aimed to investigate whether NJREs are a trait marker present in unaffected first-degree relatives of OCD and/or a state marker associated with obsessive-compulsive symptoms. MethodsThe study included 51 OCD patients, 47 first-degree relatives and 45 healthy controls. Not Just Right Experiences Questionnaire Revised (NJRE-QR), Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS), and Dimensional Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (DOCS) were administered to the participants. ResultsThere was no significant difference between the first-degree relatives and healthy controls in respect of NJRE-total and NJRE-severity scores. In the hierarchical regression analysis performed in OCD group, the severity of NJREs were associated with the severity of obsessive-compulsive symptoms and the 'doubts about actions' dimension of perfectionism. ConclusionsThis is the first study investigating NJREs in relatives of a clinical OCD group. The results of this study support the view that NJREs are state markers for OCD.

The Moderating Role of Grit in the Relationship Between Perfectionism and Depression Among Chinese College Students.

Background: As a personality trait, perfectionism has shown a close association with psychological disorders, such as depression. The protective effect of grit on depression has been confirmed by a series of recent studies. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the buffering role of grit in the above relationship and the possible underlying mechanism.Objective: Based on the multidimensional theory of perfectionism, we differentiated two dimensions of perfectionism as positive and negative and further examined the relationships between these two dimensions of perfectionism and depression. We also aimed to examine the possible moderating effect of grit on the above two relationships.Methods: Us a questionnaire survey approach, a total of 2,602 college students (1,608 females and 994 males) were assessed using the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale the Short Grit Scale, and the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to investigate the direct effect of two dimensions of perfectionism on depression as well as the moderating role of grit in these associations.Results: After controlling for gender, age, family income, and academic performance, both positive and negative perfectionism had positive predictive effects on depression, and grit negatively moderated these two relationships. Specifically, grit completely counteracted the effect of positive perfectionism on depression yet partly counteracted the effect of negative perfectionism on depression.Conclusion: Grit prevents the depressive symptoms raised by positive and negative perfectionism.

Perfectionism and Psychological Distress among Chinese Judges: Do Age and Gender Make a Difference?

Background:Judges may experience mental health problems, which reduces their performance in juridical cases, and constitutes a great threat to both the authority of law and social justice. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of psychological distress among judges and examine the effect of perfectionism on psychological distress with age and gender as the moderators.Methods:This survey was carried out in person with 565 Chinese judges in 2016, using the Almost Perfect Scale-Revised and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. The effects of perfectionism on psychological distress was explored by Structural Equation Model (SEM), and the moderating effects of age and gender were tested by Multi-group analysis.Results:Psychological distress was reported by 89.20% of the judges surveyed. Discrepancy had a significant positive effect on psychological distress, but order had a significant negative effect on psychological distress, with high standards exerting no significant effect. Age had a significant moderating effect, whereas the moderating effect of gender was not significant.Conclusion:The three dimensions of perfectionism exerted different effects on psychological distress of Chinese judges, and the relationships were moderated by age.

The Influence of Parental Perfectionism and Parenting Styles on Child Perfectionism.

Perfectionism is a significant transdiagnostic process related to the development and maintenance of several psychological disorders. The main models of the development of perfectionism focus on early childhood experiences and postulate that parental relation is an important factor for understanding this construct in children. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between child and parental perfectionism, seeking to evaluate the empirical support of the Social Learning Model and the Social Expectations Model and children’s perception of parenting styles. The present study included 119 children (51.2% girls, Mage = 11.67 years) and their parents. Data were collected through administration of several self-report measures. The results show a relationship between the majority of the same parent and child perfectionism dimensions, thus providing supportive evidence for the Social Learning Model. Concerning the analysis of the role of gender in the transmission of perfectionism, observed fathers’ perfectionism only relates with the sons’ perfectionism, and mothers’ perfectionism relates with daughters’ perfectionism. Our findings allow for a deeper understanding of the role of the perception of an authoritarian parenting style in the development of maladaptive perfectionism. Mother and fathers’ perceived parenting styles contribute more to daughter than son perfectionism. The results contribute to expanding the understanding of the role of parental factors in the development of perfectionism.

Perfectionism in Adolescence: Associations With Gender, Age, and Socioeconomic Status in a Norwegian Sample.

Background: Perfectionism in adolescence has received increased attention, but few studies have examined this in non-clinical samples. This study investigated perfectionism among adolescents from the general population in relation to demographic factors.Methods: The present study is cross-sectional and draws on the epidemiological youth@hordaland study. The sample consisted of 10.217 adolescents aged 16–19 years (52.9% girls). Self-reported perfectionism was assessed by the EDI-P scale from the Eating Disorder Inventory with two dimensions of perfectionism, namely self-oriented (SOP) and socially prescribed (SPP) perfectionism, and a total score. Perfectionism was analyzed in relation to age, gender, and socioeconomic status (SES) by perceived economic well-being and parental education level. Chi-squared tests, t-tests, and regression analyses were performed.Results: There were few gender differences on the mean scores on perfectionism, with similar levels on the total score of EDI-P and SOP, while girls scored slightly higher on SPP (p < 0.001). The latter gender difference represented a small effect size (Cohen's d = 0.053). Chi-square analyses with perfectionism split at the 90th percentile across gender showed that there were significantly more girls than boys among the high scorers both for EDI-P, EDI-SOP, and EDI-SPP. There were no significant differences between levels of perfectionism between the three age groups. The logistic regression analyses adjusted by age and gender showed that adolescents with a better perceived economic well-being had increased odds of high perfectionism. This was evident for overall EDI-P (OR = 1.760, 95% CI = 1.493–2.076), SOP (OR = 1.543, 95% CI = 1.292–1.843), and SPP (OR = 1.836, 95% CI = 1.559–2.163). Parental education was not significantly associated with perfectionism scores among the adolescents.Conclusions: The levels of perfectionism were relatively similar between the genders in the present study, besides slightly higher SPP among girls than boys. There were also significantly more girls than boys among the high scorers on overall perfectionism, SOP, and SPP, respectively. High perfectionism was related to SES for perceived economic well-being, but not for parental education level. Implications for further research and clinical interventions were suggested.

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

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.

Perfectionism, Self-Esteem, and the Will to Win Among Adolescent Athletes: The Effects of the Level of Achievements and Gender.

This study examined the relationships between perfectionism, self-esteem, and the will to win and the effects of gender and the level of achievement on these variables. A total of 318 adolescents in the age group of 12–19 years (M = 16.10 ± 1.01) completed the self-esteem questionnaire, the will-to-win questionnaire, and the perfectionism inventory. Interstate level (ISL) athletes obtained higher scores than interdistrict level (IDL) athletes on the following variables: self-esteem, the will to win, and four of the eight dimensions of perfectionism (i.e., concern over mistakes, the need for approval, organization, and planfulness). Further, male athletes obtained higher self-esteem and perfectionism (i.e., the need for approval and rumination) scores than female athletes. Self-esteem, the will to win, and the dimensions of perfectionism were positively and significantly interrelated. However, one dimension, namely, perceived parental pressure, was unrelated to any factor except striving for excellence. Further, the will to win, concern over mistakes, high standard for others, and planfulness were unrelated to striving for excellence. The results of the discriminant analysis revealed that there was no significant difference between ISL and IDL athletes (variance explained = 9.480%). Finally, using path analysis showed that Model 3 (perfectionism self-esteem will-to-win) has provided good model fit such as Bentler's comparative fit index (CFI) (0.987), Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) (0.876), normed fit index (NFI) (0.973), and the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) (0.097).

Chinese University Faculty’s Occupational Well-Being: Applying and Extending the Job Demands–Resources Model

This study aimed to explore predictors of Chinese university faculty’s occupational well-being in the reshaped work environment. To achieve this aim, the job demands-resources model was utilized to test the relationships of job demands (work–family conflict) and job resources (leader support) to occupational well-being among 375 university faculty (145 males and 230 females) at a comprehensive research university in China. We further intended to extend the theory by incorporating personal demands (the perfectionism personality) within the research model. Results indicated work–family conflict was indirectly related to job satisfaction via the mediator of emotional exhaustion. Leader support was indirectly related to job satisfaction via the mediators of emotional exhaustion and work engagement. The two perfectionism dimensions (concerns and strivings) functioned differently in the model. The concerns dimension positively predicted exhaustion but was nonsignificant for engagement. By contrast, the strivings dimension positively predicted engagement but was nonsignificant for exhaustion.

A Randomised Controlled CBT Intervention for Maladaptive Perfectionism: Outcome and Predictors

Maladaptive perfectionism has been associated with certain mental health problems. Moreover, studies suggest that the development of perfectionism can be attributed to childhood experiences and, more specifically, to parenting styles. (1) Background: The aims of the present study were first to examine the relationship of perfectionism to perceived parenting and current symptoms of depression and anxiety and, secondly, to study the effectiveness of a group CBT intervention program for high perfectionism; (2) Methods: Participants were 81 young Greek adults with relatively high scores in perfectionism. They were randomly allocated to two conditions: either the intervention group (IG; n = 40) or a non-active control group (CG; n = 41). The intervention group received a CBT intervention of 10 weekly sessions, while assessments were made in two time points for both groups; (3) Results: There was significant correlation of perfectionism with perceived parental indifference, abuse, and overcontrol as well as measures of anxiety and depression. Results showed significant decrease in perfectionism and other symptoms in the IG. Although perceived paternal indifference and abuse could predict perfectionism at pre-intervention, no pre-intervention variable could predict the perfectionism intervention outcome; (4) Conclusions: Overall, the study suggests that maladaptive perfectionism is associated with perceived negative parenting and current anxiety and depression and that a group CBT intervention can address specific dimensions of maladaptive perfectionism.

Measuring Leader Perfectionism in Organizations: The Development of Theoretical Construct and Scale

Leader perfectionism is widely recognized as an important, yet profoundly underinvestigated, construct that lacks conceptual clarity and valid measurement. To address this lack, our research intends to develop a clear conceptualization and an integrative multidimensional measurement of leader perfectionism. We conducted two inductive studies, the focus group interview and the study using critical incident technique, to confirm our conceptualization and generate items and dimensionality of leader perfectionism. We finally define leader perfectionism as leaders’ dispositional desire for perfection from themselves and/or their employees, which is characterized by multiple cognition and behavioral characteristics. Moreover, we empirically developed a two-level multidimensional scale. The higher level contains two general dimensions of leader self-oriented perfectionism and leader subordinate-oriented perfectionism, under which the lower level is consisted of 15 subdimensions (8 for leader self-oriented perfectionism and 7 for leader subordinate-oriented perfectionism) to capture specific facets of leader perfectionism.

Examining the Link Between Multidimensional Perfectionism and Depression: A Longitudinal Study of the Intervening Effects of Social Disconnection

Introduction: The Perfectionism Social Disconnection Model (PSDM) posits that perfectionism confers risk for depression by promoting social disconnection. However, the specific indirect effect of social disconnection on the prospective relation of perfectionism dimensions with depression severity is not well understood. The aim of the current study was to provide the first comprehensive examination of the PSDM. Methods: A diverse community sample of 447 completed measures of trait perfectionism, perfectionistic self-presentation styles, and depressive symptoms at baseline. Six months later, participants completed measures of perfectionistic self-presentation styles, social disconnection, and depressive symptoms. Indirect effects models were analyzed to examine the impact of each facet of perfectionism on social disconnection and subsequent depression severity. Results: Consistent with the PSDM, all perfectionism traits and self-presentation styles resulted in greater depression severity via one or more facets of social disconnection, with social hopelessness and loneliness demonstrating the most widespread effects. Furthermore, perfectionistic self-presentation styles and social disconnection demonstrated sequential indirect effects on the relation of self-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism with depressive symptoms at follow-up. Discussion: This study is the first to demonstrate the depressogenic effects of all perfectionism dimensions. Findings delineate the interpersonal mechanisms underlying the perfectionism-depression link.