Perfectionism Cognitions Research Articles

A three-arm randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of mindful compassion for perfectionism in reducing perfectionistic cognitions.

A three-arm randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of mindful compassion for perfectionism in reducing perfectionistic cognitions.

Perfectionism cognitions and memory performance: A signal detection analysis of perfectionism-relevant, negative, positive, and neutral words

Perfectionism cognitions and memory performance: A signal detection analysis of perfectionism-relevant, negative, positive, and neutral words

Examination of Measures of Perfectionism for Structural and Measurement Invariance in an Italian and a Canadian Sample

Perfectionism measures developed in English-speaking populations have become frequently used in many non-English contexts, including in Italy. Establishing structural and measurement equivalence of instruments between Canadian and Italian samples is therefore important in establishing the validity of these concepts and instruments in Italian contexts, and to allow for direct cross-cultural comparisons. The current study investigated the measurement equivalence between a Canadian and an Italian sample for the commonly used measures of perfectionism constructs based on the Comprehensive Model of Perfectionistic Behavior. The Hewitt & Flett Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, the Perfectionistic Self-Presentation Scale, and the Perfectionism Cognitions Inventory were examined for configural, metric, and scalar invariance via equivalence testing of multigroup confirmatory factor analysis models. The results showed some evidence for configural and metric equivalence for the three measures, thus facilitating cross-cultural interpretation of pattern of associations. However, there was no consistent evidence for scalar invariance, thus suggesting that direct comparisons of perfectionism levels between the two contexts cannot be meaningfully interpreted. This highlights the need for research in both Canadian and Italian contexts to understand cross-cultural differences and similarities in perfectionism.

Perfectionistic Cognitions, Self-Compassion, and Psychological Distress Among Veterinary Students

ABSTRACT Veterinary students may be at risk for experiencing mental health concerns. Some scholars have suggested that maladaptive perfectionism is a contributing factor, although little research has examined this empirically. The main objectives of this study were to explore the relationships between perfectionistic cognitions, self-compassion, and psychological distress among 472 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) students in the United States. Veterinary students reported experiencing more frequent perfectionistic cognitions than a normative non-clinical sample of college students. There were no significant differences in overall psychological distress between veterinary students and a normative clinical sample of college students seeking services at university counseling centers. Participants who reported experiencing more frequent perfectionistic cognitions also tended to report lower self-compassion and greater psychological distress. Self-compassion mediated the relationship between perfectionistic cognitions and psychological distress, which suggests that improving self-compassion may be one way of reducing the impacts of maladaptive perfectionism on veterinary students’ mental health.

Failure Sensitivity in Perfectionism and Procrastination: Fear of Failure and Overgeneralization of Failure as Mediators of Traits and Cognitions

The current study investigated perfectionism and procrastination from the trait and cognitive perspectives and addressed how they relate to components of a personal orientation toward failure. A sample of 327 undergraduate students completed three perfectionism measures (i.e., Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, Hewitt–Flett Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, and Perfectionism Cognitions Inventory), two procrastination measures (i.e., Lay Procrastination Scale and Procrastinatory Cognitions Inventory), and measures of fear of failure and overgeneralizing failure. Correlational analyses showed that the composite trait dimension of perfectionistic concerns and the cognitive dimension of perfectionistic automatic thoughts had modest links with trait procrastination but much stronger links with the cognitive measure of procrastinatory automatic thoughts. All perfectionism and procrastination measures were significantly correlated with fear of failure and overgeneralization of failure. More extensive analyses showed that fear of failure mediated trait and cognitive pathways between perfectionism and procrastination, and the overgeneralization of failure mediated most pathways. Other evidence supported a sequential mediation between perfectionism and procrastination (i.e., fear of failure followed by the overgeneralization of failure). Overall, the results suggest that procrastinating perfectionists have a cognitive hypersensitivity to failure and a potentially debilitating form of perfectionistic reactivity characterized by overgeneralizing failures to the self. The theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Applying the Self-Determination Theory to explain the link between perceived parental overprotection and perfectionism dimensions

Previous research offers evidence that parental overprotection explains – at least in part – the development of certain individual differences relevant to psychological maladjustment, including perfectionism. The current study aims to build upon this evidence by adopting the Self-Determination Theory as a theoretical framework for understanding the psychological processes that might explain the effect of parental overprotection (PO) on different features of perfectionism. Three-hundred and nineteen Italian participants (F = 73.7 %; Mage = 31.51 ± 13.04 years) were recruited and administered the Italian versions of the Parental Bonding Instrument, the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale, the Big Three Perfectionism Scale, the Perfectionistic Self-Presentation Scale, and the Perfectionism Cognition Inventory. Structural equation modeling supported the hypothesized mediating effect of needs frustration in the above-mentioned links, especially when it comes to trait perfectionism and perfectionistic cognitions. Competence frustration played the most relevant role in explaining how parental overprotection might contribute to perfectionism dimensions. The current study provides evidence of a potential critical developmental pathway to perfectionism, with implications for clinical practice.

The links between perfectionistic cognitions, L2 achievement and willingness to communicate: examining L2 anxiety as a mediator

The links between perfectionistic cognitions, L2 achievement and willingness to communicate: examining L2 anxiety as a mediator

Psychological skills training and perfectionism: A single-subject multiple baseline study

Psychological skills training (PST) is a common and effective form of support provided by sports psychologists. Nevertheless, its use in helping support athletes with perfectionism and some of the problematic issues they can face is unknown. The purpose of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of PST in reducing perfectionistic cognitions and improving emotional experiences in athletes. Using a single-subject multiple baseline research design, we recruited five national-level basketball players (M = 21.8 years) based on their concerns over mistakes (a key dimension of perfectionistic concerns). All participants received eight, one-to-one PST sessions over a four-week period. Participants completed self-report measures of perfectionistic cognitions, cognitive appraisals, pre-competition emotions, and performance satisfaction on a weekly basis, before, during, and after the intervention, as well as 3-months later. Results suggested that PST improved at least some of the cognitive appraisals, pre-competition emotions, and performance satisfaction in most participants. Minimal changes were observed for perfectionistic cognitions. The findings support the general use of PST but other interventions may be required to reduce perfectionistic cognitions. Lay summary: Perfectionistic concerns are related to performance and well-being difficulties in athletes. We used a short PST intervention to examine if it can improve the experiences of athletes selected based on their concern over mistakes. The intervention was effective for some aspects of their experiences, such as pre-competition emotions and performance satisfaction but less effective for the perfectionistic cognitions they reported. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Sport psychologists are better informed as to the effectiveness of PST when working with athletes. The effectiveness of PST varies based on the individual and the intended outcome. There is a need for more expert guidance on perfectionism for training sports psychologists.

The Relationship Between Mindfulness and Perfectionism in University Students During Emerging Adulthood

The present study examined the empirical and conceptual association between two definitions of trait mindfulness (socio-cognitive and mindfulness-meditation) and trait, cognitive, and self-presentational components of perfectionism. These associations were investigated in a student sample of emerging adults ( n = 390), who completed measures of trait perfectionism, perfectionistic self-presentation, perfectionistic cognitions, trait mindfulness-meditation, and trait socio-cognitive mindfulness. Hierarchical linear regression analyses revealed that socially prescribed perfectionism was negatively related to the non-reactivity and acting with awareness facets of mindfulness-meditation, while self-oriented perfectionism had a positive relationship with the novelty seeking and novelty producing facets of socio-cognitive mindfulness. Perfectionistic cognitions were negatively associated with non-judging. Non-display and non-disclosure of imperfections were also negatively associated with facets of mindfulness-meditation and socio-cognitive mindfulness. Level of study (i.e., undergraduate or graduate) did not moderate the associations between perfectionism and mindfulness variables. Our study provides evidence for negative and positive associations between specific mindfulness facets and components of perfectionism. The results have implications for a theoretical and empirical understanding of the relationship between perfectionism and mindfulness and can inform the design of interventions to teach students how to cope with distressing forms of perfectionism during emerging adulthood.

The causal relationship between perfectionism and negative affect: Two experimental studies

Perfectionistic concerns and negative affect have been found to be associated in clinical and non-clinical populations. However, evidence regarding the causality and direction of these associations is scarce. In two studies, we tested whether an experimental induction of perfectionistic concerns would increase levels of negative affect, and whether the induction of negative affect would increase perfectionistic concerns. In Study 1, an unselected student sample was tested; Study 2 included students scoring high on trait perfectionistic concerns, and both these samples either randomly received a perfectionistic-concerns induction or a negative affect induction. Across both studies, participants' levels of perfectionistic cognitions, perfectionistic interpretation bias, and negative affect were assessed before and after the corresponding induction. The perfectionistic-concerns induction only showed effects in participants high in perfectionistic concerns. Additionally, in Study 2, we found the expected effect of the perfectionistic-concerns induction on negative affect. The negative affect induction increased negative affect across both studies, but showed no effect on perfectionistic concerns. Our results give some indication that a unidirectional causal relationship from perfectionistic concerns to negative affect may exist in individuals with high levels of trait perfectionism. Limitations and further implications are discussed.

Profiles of Perfectionistic Automatic Thoughts and Aggression.

In recent years, the study of perfectionistic automatic thoughts (PAT) has increased given its maladaptive nature since it is link to numerous psychological disorders. From our knowledge, no previous research has addressed the relationship between PAT and the four components of aggressive behavior (anger, hostility, verbal aggression, and physical aggression). This study had a double goal. The first aim was to identify distinct profiles of PAT in a sample of 3060 Ecuadorian undergraduates (Mage = 22.7, SD = 2.46). The second aim of this study was to determine whether or not statistically significant differences exist between these profiles, based on the four components of aggressive behavior. The Perfectionism Cognitions Inventory (PCI) and the Aggression Questionnaire (AQ) were used. Five profiles with different intensities in the dimensions of perfectionistic automatic thoughts were identified by Latent Class Analysis ((1) No-Perfectionistic Automatic Thoughts, (2) Low Perfectionistic Automatic Thoughts, (3) High Perfectionistic Demands, (4) Moderate Perfectionistic Automatic Thoughts, and (5) High Perfectionistic Automatic Thoughts). The moderate and high perfectionistic automatic thoughts profiles obtained the highest mean scores for all components of aggressive behavior (i.e., the four factors that make up AQ: Physical Aggression, Verbal Aggression, Anger, and Hostility), while the No-perfectionistic automatic thoughts and Low perfectionistic automatic thoughts profiles had the lowest mean scores. These results provide new knowledge about the prevalence of PAT in the context of Ecuador. Also, they suggest further research on the topic given the positive relationship of PAT and aggressive behavior.

Perfectionistic Cognitions Pre-Pandemic Predict Greater Anxiety Symptoms During the Pandemic Among Emerging Adults: A Two-Wave Cross-Lagged Study.

This study employed a two-wave cross-lagged panel analysis to examine associations between perfectionistic cognitions, anxiety, and depression pre-pandemic to during the pandemic in a sample of 171 (57% female, n = 98) emerging adults. Results demonstrated that perfectionistic cognitions decreased, anxiety increased, and depressive symptoms did not change pre-pandemic to during the pandemic. Cross-lagged results indicated that pre-pandemic perfectionistic cognitions predicted higher levels of anxiety symptoms (but not depressive symptoms) during the pandemic after accounting for pre-pandemic levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms. These results held with the inclusion of covariates (i.e., sex, age, education, exposure to COVID-19, whether or not participants knew someone diagnosed with COVID-19, had lost income due to the pandemic, and how often they thought about COVID-19). Psychological distress (i.e., anxiety and depressive symptoms) pre-pandemic did not predict perfectionistic cognitions during the pandemic after accounting for pre-pandemic levels of perfectionistic cognitions. Results support assertions that individuals with heightened levels of perfectionism are at an increased risk for poorer mental health during the pandemic. Findings underscore the importance of assessing perfectionistic cognitions for the prevention and treatment of anxiety symptoms among emerging adults during and post-pandemic.

Perfectionistic Cognitions as Antecedents of Work Engagement: Personal Resources, Personal Demands, or Both?

Whereas personal resources have been established as a counterpart to external job resources in the Job Demands–Resources Theory, personal demands as a counterpart to job demands have been rather neglected. In this study, we propose that multidimensional perfectionism—in the form of daily perfectionistic cognitions—is a relevant personal characteristic for predicting daily work engagement in addition to and in its interplay with daily time pressure as a common job demand. 157 employees participated in a daily diary study for 15 workdays. As hypothesized, multilevel regression analyses yielded a positive unique effect of perfectionistic strivings cognitions and a negative unique effect of perfectionistic concerns cognitions on daily work engagement. Furthermore, we found that both unique perfectionistic strivings cognitions and perfectionistic concerns cognitions moderated a quadratic relationship between daily time pressure and daily work engagement. Building on the Job Demands–Resources Theory, we propose that the dimension of perfectionistic strivings constitutes a personal resource and the dimension of perfectionistic concerns constitutes a personal demand in the prediction of work engagement.

Perfectionistic cognitions, Interleukin-6, and C-Reactive protein: A test of the perfectionism diathesis stress model

Previous research has demonstrated that perfectionism is implicated in poorer health and earlier mortality. However, to our knowledge, research has not yet determined how individual differences in perfectionistic cognitions are related to intermediary health markers such as inflammation. Thus, within the theoretical frameworks of the perfectionism diathesis-stress model (Hewitt and Flett, 1993) and the cognitive theory of perfectionism (Flett et al., 2018; Flett et al., 2016) the aims of our study were to test whether individual differences in perfectionistic cognitions were associated with low-grade inflammation via c-reactive CRP and IL-6 biomarkers and whether these relationships varied as a function perceived stress. The sample included 248 Canadian young adults (52% female, Mage ​= ​22.89, SD ​= ​1.53) who completed surveys assessing key constructs such as perfectionistic cognitions and perceived stress along with providing assessments of body fat percentage and serum samples of IL-6 and CRP. Regression analyses indicated that perfectionistic cognitions were not related to IL-6 under any conditions of stress. However, under high levels of stress perfectionistic cognitions were associated with elevated levels of CRP and these findings held after accounting for the effects of smoking status, body fat percentage, and respondent sex. The present work adds to the growing body of evidence supporting links between personality and inflammation. These findings raise the possibility that experiencing more frequent thoughts centered on the need to be perfect when coupled with higher levels of stress may set the stage for greater vulnerability for chronic inflammation.

Perfectionistic concerns cognitions predict burnout in college athletes: a three-month longitudinal study

ABSTRACT The majority of research examining the relationship between perfectionism and athlete burnout has focused on trait perfectionism, while overlooking the importance of the cognitive elements of perfectionism. Perfectionistic cognitions represent an influential cognitive bias driving perfectionistic behaviour. Although perfectionistic cognitions have been shown to correlate with burnout symptoms in athletes, this body of work is very limited and does not include college athletes. In addition, it is currently unclear whether perfectionistic cognitions also predict changes in athlete burnout over time. To address these issues, we conducted a two-wave, three-month longitudinal study and measured perfectionistic cognitions and burnout in a sample of 170 college athletes both at the start and end of a competitive season. In doing so, we also sought to empirically test the different models of perfectionistic cognitions that have been proposed (original, short, and multidimensional). Using cross-lagged panel models, we found that perfectionistic concerns cognitions predicted increases in burnout. The findings provide initial evidence that perfectionistic cognitions predict changes in athlete burnout over time in college athletes. Consequently, the findings have important implications for our understanding of both athlete burnout and perfectionistic cognitions.

Dispositional Empathy and Emotional Intelligence in terms of Perfectionistic Automatic Thoughts.

The maladaptive nature of Perfectionistic Automatic Thoughts (PAT) increases the importance of evaluating the construct. This study aims to identify different clusters of PAT in undergraduates, and to check possible inter-cluster differences in the dimensions of dispositional empathy and emotional intelligence in a sample of 691 Spanish undergraduates (Mage = 23.1; SD = 5.26). The Perfectionism Cognitions Inventory, the Interpersonal Reactivity Index and the Trait Meta-Mood Scale were used. Three clusters with low (LPAT), moderate (MPAT) and high (HPAT) levels of PAT were identified. Statistically significant differences were observed between these clusters in terms of dispositional empathy and emotional intelligence dimensions. HPAT significantly scored higher than LPAT on Fantasy, Empathic Concern, Personal Discomfort and Perception, as well as in comparison with MPAT on Fantasy, Empathic Concern, Personal Discomfort and Perception. Moreover, MPAT obtained significantly higher scores on Comprehension and Repair than LPAT. Effect sizes for these differences were of a small magnitude, except for the HPAT and LPAT contrasts, whose differences were of a moderate magnitude.

Coach Burnout in Relation to Perfectionistic Cognitions and Self-Presentation.

Coaching athletes is highly rewarding yet stressful, especially at the elite level where media, fans, and sponsors can contribute to an environment that, if not well-managed by the coach, can lead to burnout. Coaches who display perfectionistic tendencies, such as striving for flawlessness, may be particularly vulnerable—even more so if they are overly critical of themselves and have a tendency to ruminate over their performance, or if they are attempting to convey an image of faultlessness, or both. A total of 272 coaches completed a battery of inventories assessing burnout, perfectionistic thoughts, and the tendency for perfectionistic self-presentation. All variables correlated significantly: coaches with higher scores on exhaustion scored higher both on perfectionistic thoughts and self-presentation. However, when three subscales of perfectionistic self-presentation were considered separately, lower and nonsignificant correlations emerged. We believe that this can be explained by the heterogeneous group of coaches participating in this study. Whereas all coaches may at times ruminate privately—self-oriented perfectionism—about their perceived failure to perform to expectations, not all may feel the pressure to present themselves to others as faultless—a more socially prescribed perfectionism. This finding warrants further investigation, preferably comparing coaches at different levels of public scrutiny.

Helping soccer players help themselves: Effectiveness of a psychoeducational book in reducing perfectionism

Building on research that has shown psychoeducational or self-help books to be effective in reducing perfectionism outside of sport, the current study examined the effectiveness of a self-help book (“When Perfect Isn’t Good Enough”) in reducing perfectionism among athletes. One hundred and fifteen soccer players (male = 44, female = 71, M age = 21.62 years, SD = 5.03) were randomly allocated to a self-help intervention group (n = 55) or a control group (n = 60). Participants completed the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, Perfectionistic Cognitions Inventory-10, Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help-Short Form and Sport Emotion Questionnaire pre-intervention, post-intervention (8-weeks later) and at follow-up (5-weeks later). A 2 (group) × 3 (time) factorial ANOVA revealed a significant group × time interaction for socially prescribed perfectionism, perfectionistic cognitions, and negative pre-competition emotions (anxiety, anger, and dejection). Post-intervention, moderate-to-large between-group differences were evident for perfectionistic cognitions and anxiety (d = 0.75 and 0.59). At follow-up, moderate-to-large between-group differences were evident for socially prescribed perfectionism, perfectionistic cognitions, and anxiety (d = 0.51, 1.15, and 0.70). The findings suggest that self-help books may be useful for reducing perfectionism among athletes.

The unique contribution of perfectionistic cognitions to anxiety disorder symptoms in a treatment-seeking sample

ABSTRACT Perfectionistic cognitions are thinking patterns that reflect excessive striving and are associated with emotional disorders in nonclinical samples. Despite literature connecting trait perfectionism with psychological disorders, much remains unknown about how perfectionistic cognitions relate to anxiety disorder symptoms in clinical populations. This is the first study to our knowledge that investigates how symptoms of anxiety and related symptoms are influenced by the frequency of perfectionistic cognitions when controlling for well documented correlates of anxiety. Perfectionistic cognitions, depressive symptoms, emotion regulation, anxiety sensitivity, and anxiety symptom severity were assessed prior to starting treatment in 356 treatment-seeking patients diagnosed with an anxiety or anxiety-related disorder at a specialty anxiety clinic. Perfectionistic cognitions were significantly correlated with all anxiety symptom measures as well as measures of depression, emotion regulation and anxiety sensitivity (range of rs =.22-.68). Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that when controlling for depressive symptoms, anxiety sensitivity, and emotion regulation, perfectionistic cognitions significantly and uniquely contribute to the variance of GAD (p <.01) and PTSD (p <.05) symptoms but not other anxiety-related symptoms (all ps >.05). Regardless of specific diagnoses, treatment-seeking individuals reporting frequent perfectionistic thoughts are more likely to report more severe symptoms of PTSD and GAD.

Psychometric Properties of the Perfectionism Cognitions Inventory in Ecuador.

Perfectionistic Automatic Thoughts (PATs) are currently being studied due to their association with maladaptive variables. This study aims to validate the Spanish version of the Perfectionism Cognitions Inventory (PCI) in a sample of Ecuadorian undergraduates as well as to analyze latent mean differences across sex. The sample was composed by 3060 undergraduates (Mage = 22.7, SD = 2.46). The Spanish model of the PCI composed by 17 items divided into three first-order dimensions (perfectionistic concerns, strivings, and demands) and a second-order factor was supported by confirmatory factor analysis. Acceptable levels of reliability and factorial invariance across sex were observed. Higher latent mean scores for males in comparison with females in the second-order factor of the PCI were found. The three dimensions of the PCI significantly and positively correlated with interpersonal difficulties. Overall, results demonstrate that the Spanish version of the PCI is a valid and reliable measure to evaluate PATs in Ecuadorian undergraduates.