Perfectionism Questionnaire Research Articles

Prevalence of childhood obsessive–compulsive personality traits in adults with obsessive compulsive disorder versus obsessive compulsive personality disorder

Identifying risk factors of psychopathology has been an important research challenge. Prior studies examining the impact of childhood temperament on adult disorder have largely focused on undercontrolled and inhibited presentations, with little study of overcontrolled traits such as obsessive–compulsive personality traits (OCPTs). We compared rates of childhood OCPTs in adults with OCD (without OCPD) (n=28) to adults with OCPD (without OCD) (n=27), adults with both OCD and OCPD (n=28), and healthy controls (HC) (n=28), using the childhood retrospective perfectionism questionnaire, a validated measure of perfectionism, inflexibility, and drive for order. Adults with OCPD (both with and without comorbid OCD) reported higher rates of all three childhood OCPTs relative to HC. Individuals with OCD (without OCPD) reported higher rates of inflexibility and drive for order relative to HC, suggesting that these traits may presage the development of OCD, independent of OCPD. Childhood OCPTs were associated with particular OCD symptom dimensions in adulthood (contamination/cleaning, doubt/checking, and symmetry/ordering), independent of OCD onset age and OCPD diagnosis. Longitudinal prospective studies evaluating OCPTs in children are needed to better understand the progression of these traits from childhood to adulthood and their ability to predict future psychopathology.

Increased set shifting costs in fasted healthy volunteers.

We investigated the impact of temporary food restriction on a set shifting task requiring participants to judge clusters of pictures against a frequently changing rule. 60 healthy female participants underwent two testing sessions: once after fasting for 16 hours and once in a satiated state. Participants also completed a battery of questionnaires (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]; Persistence, Perseveration and Perfectionism Questionnaire [PPPQ-22]; and Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire [EDE-Q6]). Set shifting costs were significantly increased after fasting; this effect was independent of self-reported mood and perseveration. Furthermore, higher levels of weight concern predicted a general performance decrement under conditions of fasting. We conclude that relatively short periods of fasting can lead to set shifting impairments. This finding may have relevance to studies of development, individual differences, and the interpretation of psychometric tests. It also could have implications for understanding the etiology and maintenance of eating disorders, in which impaired set shifting has been implicated.

The Clinical Perfectionism Questionnaire: Further evidence for two factors capturing perfectionistic strivings and concerns

The construct of clinical perfectionism, conceptualized as a one-dimensional construct (Shafran, Cooper, & Fairburn, 2003), has drawn considerable debate because of the associated critique of multidimensional perfectionism’s relevance for clinical theory and research. Hence Dickie, Surgenor, Wilson, and McDowall’s (2012) finding that the Clinical Perfectionism Questionnaire (CPQ), designed to measure clinical perfectionism, was two-factorial and thus multidimensional makes an important contribution to the debate. The present study aimed to replicate Dickie et al.’s finding examining the CPQ’s factorial structure in 316 university students. In addition, the study examined the CPQ’s convergent correlations with dispositional perfectionism, perfectionism cognitions, and perfectionistic self-presentation. CPQ total scores showed large-sized positive correlations with dispositional perfectionism and perfectionism cognitions demonstrating convergent validity. However, the study confirmed that the CPQ was two-factorial with Factor 1 mainly capturing perfectionistic strivings and Factor 2 mainly capturing perfectionistic concerns, thus questioning the CPQ’s construct validity. Together with Dickie et al.’s findings, the present study’s findings suggest that—if the CPQ is a valid measure of clinical perfectionism as conceptualized by Shafran et al. (2003)—the construct of clinical perfectionism and its dimensionality need to be reconsidered.

PERFEKCJONIZM, WYBRANE CECHY DEMOGRAFICZNE I ZAWODOWE JAKO PREDYKTORY WYPALENIA ZAWODOWEGO U PIELĘGNIAREK PRACUJĄCYCH NA BLOKU OPERACYJNYM

The study was aimed at verifying the predictive power of perfectionism for professional burnout among nurses exposed to distress resulting from work in an operating suite and testing whether this effect exists after controlling for selected demographic and job characteristics. The study group consisted of 100 nurses (93 women; mean age: 38.67 years). The majority in the group worked in public facilities (68%), in duty system (62%), as operating (75%) or anesthesiology (25%) nurses. To test perfectionism The Polish Adaptive and Maladaptive Perfectionism Questionnaire (AMPQ) (Perfekcjonizm Adaptacyjny i Dezadaptacyjny - PAD), developed by Szczucka, was used. To examine burnout the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI) by Demerouti et al. was adopted. The effects of selected demographic and job charac teristics were controlled. The results of hierarchical regression analyses revealed that after controlling for selected demographic and job characteristics maladaptive perfectionism was a significant predictor of disengagement and exhaus tion whereas adaptive perfectionism predicted a better work engagement. Significant predictors were also: education, number of workplaces, duty system and marital status. The study allowed to confirm the hypothesis on a harmful role of maladaptive perfectionism in shaping burnout among operating suite nurses. The hypothesis on protective function of adaptive perfectionism was confirmed only partially, with regard to disengagement. The results of the study also highlighted some risk factors of burnout which may exist in this occupational group. This confirms the need to continue research in this area.

Indirect Measurement of Perfectionism: Construct and Predictive Validity

Recent studies have revealed that the prediction of behavior requires the assessment of both explicit and implicit evaluations, which can be measured using direct and indirect measurement procedures respectively. Against this background, two studies were conducted to construct and implement an indirect measure of perfectionism. A Single Category Implicit Association Test (SC-IAT) was created to assess the extent to which participants automatically evaluated themselves as achievement striving, in comparison to others. In both studies, the achievement striving and evaluative concerns dimensions of perfectionism were measured using two multidimensional perfectionism questionnaires. Across the two samples, we observed that evaluating one's self-worth on the basis of reaching high standards on an explicit level (as measured by the questionnaires) is significantly associated with evaluating oneself as less achievement striving than others on an automatic level (SC-IAT). Examining the predictive influence of the...

1757 – Perfectionism, eating behaviours and affect in overweight women

Introduction Knowledge about the mechanisms underlying the relationship between perfectionism and eating behaviors in overweight/obese women is very scarce. Objectives To investigate the relationship between perfectionism, eating behaviors and affect in overweight women. Methods The Portuguese validated versions of the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire/EDEQ, the Multidimensional Perfectionism Questionnaire and the Profile of Mood States were administered to an outpatient sample of 276 women (Mean age = 43.85 ± 11.89; Mean BMI = 32.82 ± 5.43) attending a weight loss treatment in a public hospital. Results Correlations between Social Prescribed Perfectionism/SPP and EDEQ total (T) and its dimensional scores (Weigh and Shape Concern and Dissatisfaction/WSCD, Eating Concern/EC, Restraint) were all moderate (r > .30) and significant (p > .001). Self-Oriented Perfectionism/SOP was also significantly correlated with EDEQ-T, WSCI and Restraint (r = .20). Positive affect/PA was negatively correlated and Negative affect/NA was positively correlated with all EDEQ dimensions (r > .25; p > .001). SPP, but not SOP, was significantly correlated with PA (r = −.27) and NA (r = .34). Participants with high (>M+SD) vs. low ( Conclusions As in studies with other type of samples, SPP is related to disordered eating in overweight women.

Risk of eating disorder in school children from Buenos Aires: Its relationship with perfectionism / Riesgo de trastorno alimentario en niños escolarizados de Buenos Aires: Su asociación con perfeccionismo

Abstract The aim of this study is to evaluate risk of eating disorder (ED) and perfectionism in school girls and boys, and to analyze whether there is an association between both variables. The sample was composed by 337 children (51% girls-49% boys) aged between 9 and 13 years. A two-stage study was carried out. In the first stage, the children completed the following instruments: Sociodemographic questionnaire, Children’s Eating Attitudes Test (ChEAT), Cuestionario de Perfeccionismo Infantil-Child Perfectionism Questionnaire- and Child/adolescent Version of the Silhouette Rating Scale. They were weighed and measured by a nutritionist, accor- ding to the rules of the Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría. In the second stage, the children at risk for ED and a control group were interviewed in order to confirm or not such risk. After the first stage, a possible risk for ED was identified in a 30.56% of children. After the second stage, the risk was confirmed in a 9.79% of the children from the total sample, with no gender differences in this variable. It was found a significant positive association between the ChEAT total scores and the total score of Perfectionism measure. Finally, it was concluded that perfectionism is a key variable associated to risk for ED in children. Key words: Eating disorders, perfectionism, children, body image, ChEAT. Resumen El presente estudio se propone evaluar riesgo de trastorno alimentario (TA) y perfeccionismo en niñas y niños escolarizados y analizar si existe asociación entre ambas variables. La muestra estuvo conformada por 337 niños (51% niñas-49% varones) de entre 9 y 13 años. Se realizó un estudio en dos fases. En la primera, los niños completaron los siguientes instrumentos: Cuestionario sociodemográfico, Test de Actitudes Alimentarias para Niños (ChEAT), Cuestionario de Perfeccionis- mo Infantil y Escala de Siluetas para niños y adolescentes. Fueron pesados y medidos por una nutricionista, según normas de la Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría. En la segunda fase, los niños en riesgo de TA y un grupo control fueron entrevistados con el fin de corroborar o no dicho riesgo. Tras la primera fase se identificó un 30.56% de niños con posible riesgo de TA. Luego de la segunda fase se confirmó el riesgo en un 9.79% de los niños de la muestra total, no existiendo diferencias por sexo en esta variable. Se halló una asociación significativa positiva entre la puntuación total del ChEAT y la puntuación total en la medida de Perfeccionismo. Finalmente, se puede concluir que el perfeccionismo constituye una variable asociada al riesgo de TA en niños. Palabras clave: Trastornos alimentarios, perfeccionismo, niños, imagen corporal, ChEAT.

Persistence, Perseveration and Perfectionism in the Eating Disorders

Perseveration, persistence and perfectionism are traits that have been suggested to be relevant to the eating disorders. This study explored the levels and correlates of these three traits in the eating disorders and control groups. A measure of these three elements (the Persistence, Perseveration and Perfectionism Questionnaire - PPPQ-22) was administered to 99 women with eating disorders, 25 women with other psychiatric disorders, and 91 non-clinical women. Differences in PPPQ-22 scores across groups were measured, as were the associations between PPPQ-22 scores and eating attitudes. The eating disordered groups showed lower levels of persistence (the drive towards goal achievement) than the non-clinical group, but did not show higher levels of perseveration (the following of rules, without considering whether goals are achieved). Both women with eating disorders and non-clinical controls showed correlations between eating disorder symptoms and perseveration. The current study, using a relatively new measure, suggests that low levels of persistence, rather than high levels of perseveration, may be implicated in the eating disorders. It was less clear that perfectionism per se was a useful construct in understanding eating pathology. If confirmed by future research, persistence should be considered in treatment of these complex and challenging conditions.

The structure and reliability of the Clinical Perfectionism Questionnaire

Pathological perfectionism is of increasing interest in clinical research, although the dimensionality of this construct is actively debated. Most studies refer to two underlying dimensions associated with evaluative concerns and personal standards, and multidimensional scales are used to capture these. The more recently proposed construct of ‘clinical perfectionism’ (CP), is argued as unidimensional, as is the Clinical Perfectionism Questionnaire (CPQ) arising from this. This study assesses the reliability and validity of the CPQ in a sample of young adults. Utilising a survey design, participants were 491 undergraduate students aged 18–30years who completed a battery of psychometric measures, of whom 142 were retested after 4months. After removal of two items, exploratory factor analysis and parallel analysis revealed two distinct factors broadly consistent with existing two-factor formulations of pathological perfectionism, but with modest internal consistency and test–retest reliability. Norms need to be established in order to ascertain meaningful cut-offs and to aid understanding about significant improvement in the different dimensions if the CPQ is to be used in future research. Further research also needs to consider the relative utility of the CPQ against already existing measures of pathological perfectionism in common use.

Evidence for the Validity of the Clinical Perfectionism Questionnaire in a Nonclinical Population: More Than Just Negative Affectivity

This study examined the validity of the Clinical Perfectionism Questionnaire (CPQ; Fairburn, Cooper, & Shafran, 2003) in a nonclinical sample of 61 men and 182 women. Consistent with expectations, we found that scores on the CPQ were positively associated with scores on common measures of maladjustment, namely, depressive symptoms, anxious symptoms, and stress. In addition, results from regression analyses indicated that the CPQ accounted for additional variance in each of the 3 indexes of maladjustment beyond what was accounted for by multidimensional perfectionism and negative affectivity. Accordingly, our findings provide promising support for the validity of the CPQ in a nonclinical population.

Relationship between Fatigue, Perfectionism, and Functional Dysphonia

Increased levels of fatigue and perfectionism were noted during evaluation of cognitive behavioral therapy for the treatment of functional dysphonia. The investigators thus aimed to explore levels of general fatigue and perfectionism in patients with functional dysphonia and controls. Case-control study. Teaching hospital, United Kingdom. Patients recruited through speech therapy were asked to recruit a friend as a control, of the same sex and within 5 years of their age. An 11-point fatigue questionnaire, previously validated on a normal population, was analyzed using both Likert (0123) and bimodal (0011) systems, with a score greater than 4 on the bimodal system implying substantial fatigue. A 35-point perfectionism questionnaire was also completed and analyzed for "healthy" and "unhealthy" perfectionist traits. There were 75 cases and 62 controls. The mean fatigue score in patients with functional dysphonia was 17.0 and 14.4 for the controls (Likert, P = .009). Under the bimodal scoring system, the mean fatigue scores in functional dysphonia (5.10) and controls (3.01) were also significantly different (P = .003). The mean perfectionism scores were 98.9 for patients with functional dysphonia and 91.2 for controls (P = 0.043). To the investigators' knowledge, this is the first substantial report that fatigue and perfectionism scores are significantly elevated in functional dysphonia. Functional dysphonia is shown to be analogous to other medically unexplained physical symptoms that are also marked by generic somatopsychic distress and for which multiple factors are implicated in their onset and maintenance. This has implications for both research and treatment.

The Roles of Persistence and Perseveration in Psychopathology

Two constructs were hypothesized to be of importance in psychological disorders: persistence (the ability to keep going to reach a goal, even when the task is difficult or drawn out) and perseveration (the tendency to continue a behavior, even when it ceases to be effective or rewarding). These are contrasted with perfectionism (having high standards for oneself or others). A measure was developed to address these constructs (the Persistence, Perseveration and Perfectionism Questionnaire; PPPQ). The PPPQ was administered to 325 nonclinical participants, alongside a measure of psychological disturbance. Factor analysis resulted in a 22-item version of the measure, consisting of subscales with good psychometric properties corresponding to the 3 theoretical constructs. Persistence was associated with lower levels of psychopathology, whereas perseveration was associated with higher levels of psychopathology. Perfectionism was weakly associated with psychopathology. Further work is needed to develop these constructs with clinical groups, but the findings support the hypothesis that persistence is an adaptive construct whereas perseveration is maladaptive.

The development of the childhood retrospective perfectionism questionnaire (CHIRP) in an eating disorder sample

This investigation explored the prevalence and predictive value of childhood obsessive-compulsive personality traits (OCPTs) in the development of eating disorders (EDs) using a novel retrospective questionnaire. To reduce bias associated with retrospective self-report data, an identical informant version of the questionnaire was also utilised. Substantial test-retest and inter-rater reliabilities were found for the questionnaire, as well as concordant validity with the semi-structured interview from which it was derived. Participants with an ED (n = 246) endorsed more childhood behaviours reflecting OCPTs than the control group (n = 89). This was mirrored in the informant report data (n = 93). The prevalence rate for each OCPT in childhood was significantly higher in the total ED sample compared to the control group. Both proband and informant reports of childhood traits predict the later development of an ED according to a strong dose-response relationship. The potential utility of this measure in future retrospective and prospective research studies is highlighted.

Parenting perfectionism and the parenting role

The purpose of the present research was to provide evidence for the validity of the Multidimensional Parenting Perfectionism Questionnaire (MPPQ), an objective self-report instrument designed to measure multiple aspects of parenting perfectionism. Data from two separate samples provided evidence that the MPPQ parenting perfectionism tendencies were systematically related to parenting styles, parenting satisfaction, parental bonding, and attachment tendencies. The discussion focuses on the implications of these research findings and future directions for research with the Multidimensional Parenting Perfectionism Questionnaire.

Pathways to anaclitic and introjective depression.

Depression may be conceptualized multidimensionally, owing to marked individual differences in developmental vulnerability and phenomenology. Blatt (Blatt, Quinlan, Chevran, McDonald, Zuroff, 1982; Blatt, Quinlan, Pilkonis, & Shea, 1995) has validated two subtypes of depression. Anaclitic depression involves excessive interpersonal concerns, including feelings of loneliness, weakness, helplessness and abandonment fears. Introjective depression denotes achievement concerns, and is characterized by a tendency towards self-criticism and self-evaluation. Present research examined this distinction by identifying possible differential attachment patterns for the depression subtypes. It was hypothesized that, while secure attachment would negatively relate to depression, insecure attachment would predict anaclitic and introjective subtypes, with perfectionism mediating this relationship. A sample of 245 participants completed the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Multidimensional Perfectionism Questionnaire, and two measures of attachment. Regressional techniques revealed that anaclitic depression was predicted by preoccupied attachment (seeking others' acceptance to bolster low self-worth), with socially prescribed perfectionism (striving to meet the high standards of others) partially mediating the relationship. Introjective depression was predicted by fearful-avoidant attachment (low self-worth and expectations of rejection), with self-oriented perfectionism (self-imposed unrealistic standards) acting as a partial mediator. Findings further validate these depressive subtypes by indicating their different attachment-perfectionism paths. Results are concordant with attachment theory and have implications for both theory and therapy.

The prediction of obsessive–compulsive tendencies: does perfectionism play a significant role?

Abstract Salkovskis (Salkovskis, P. M. (1985). Cognitive-behavioral factors and the persistence of intrusive thoughts in obsessional problems. Behavior Research and Therapy , 27, 677–682) has postulated the presence of a dysfunctional responsibility schema in Obsessive Compulsive (OC) patients. Several empirical studies have demonstrated a link between responsibility and OC symptoms. Other cognitive variables have also been pointed out. This study explores the relative contribution of Perceived Danger, Responsibility and Perfectionism in the prediction of OC tendencies in a nonclinical population. 182 participants completed the Responsibility Questionnaire (RQ), the R-Scale (R-S), the Perfectionism Questionnaire (PQ) together with the Padua Inventory (PI). Results showed that responsibility, perceived danger and perfectionism were all moderately related to OC tendencies. Hierarchical regression analysis demonstrated that perfectionism still accounted for a significant part of the PI variance once the other variables were partialed out. Beliefs about Responsibility and Perfectionism were equivalent predictors of OC tendencies. The theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.

DIFFERENCES IN SELF-PRESENTATION AND SELF-ESTEEM BETWEEN POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE PERFECTIONISTS

Research focusing on relationship between perfectionism and self-esteem is rather new and offers various and sometimes contradictory findings. Furthermore, a relationship between perfectionism and implicit self-esteem is still an under- investigated topic. The aim of this study was to explore differences in levels of implicit and explicit self-esteem and self-presentation between positive and negative perfectionists. One hundred and forty undergraduate psychology participants in two time points filled in the Self-Liking and Self- Competence Scale, the Perfectionistic Self-Presentation Scale, the Perfectionism Questionnaire, and the Implicit Associations Test. Results showed a significant difference in self-liking, nondisplay of imperfection, and nondisclosure of imperfection between positive and negative perfectionists. Positive perfectionists scored significantly higher on self-liking, and lower on nondisplay and nondisclosure of imperfection than negative perfectionists did. Positive perfectionists also had significantly higher levels of implicit self-esteem. There was no significant difference in self-competence and perfectionistic self-promotion between positive and negative perfectionists.