Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

A Cognitive-Behavioral-Based Workshop Intervention for Maladaptive Perfectionism

  • Published:
Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Maladaptive perfectionism (MP) can have adverse consequences for mental and physical health and can interfere with treatment success for various conditions. Theoretical conceptualizations of MP largely surround overly rigid and self-critical thinking as well as excessively high standards. Treatment for MP thus often focuses on these cognitive aspects and has been successful, albeit lengthy. The present study evaluated a brief cognitive-behavioral workshop for those with high, moderate, and low MP, which was defined as a composite of perfectionism subscales that included concern over mistakes, doubting of actions, parental criticism, parental expectations, and discrepancy. Workshop components focused on psychoeducation about MP, setting high standards, fearing mistakes and doubting oneself, and preventing distress and maintaining gains. Ratings of MP as well as anxiety, depression, and distress were significantly lower from pre-treatment across post-treatment and 3-week and 3-month follow-up assessments for those with high and moderate MP. Participants with low MP showed no significant change over time, as expected. The workshop thus provided a useful, brief, and cost-effective intervention for MP and related distress. Clinical implications are discussed, including routine assessment of MP in clinical practice, intervention for MP early in the clinical process, specific focus on self-criticism and setting high standards, and implementation in university counseling centers. Recommendations for future research are also discussed, including dismantling of workshop components, identifying treatment mechanisms, expanding to clinical populations, evaluating more diverse samples, and understanding the possible preventative aspects of a workshop approach.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Antony, M. M., Purdon, C. L., Huta, V., & Swinson, R. P. (1998). Dimensions of perfectionism across the anxiety disorders. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 36, 1143–1154. doi:10.1016/s0005-7967(98)00083-7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Antony, M. M., & Swinson, R. P. (1998). When perfect isn’t good enough: Strategies for coping with perfectionism. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ashby, J. S., & Kottman, T. (1996). Inferiority as a distinction between normal and neurotic perfectionism. Individual Psychology, 52, 237–245.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, A. T., Steer, R. A., & Brown, G. K. (1996). Manual for the Beck depression inventory (2nd ed.). San Antonio, TX: Psychological Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blankstein, K. R., & Winkworth, G. R. (2004). Dimensions of perfectionism and levels of attributions for grades: relations with dysphoria and academic performance. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 22, 271–299.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blatt, S. J., & Zuroff, D. C. (2002). Perfectionism in the therapeutic process. In G. L. Flett & P. L. Hewitt (Eds.), Perfectionism: Theory, research, and treatment (pp. 393–406). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Burgess, A. M., & DiBartolo, P. M. (2016). Anxiety and perfectionism: Relationships, mechanisms, and conditions. In F. M. Sirois & D. S. Molnar (Eds.), Perfectionism, health, and well-being (pp. 177–203). New York: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Burns, D. D. (1980). The perfectionist’s script for self-defeat. Psychology Today, 14(6), 34–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chik, H. M., Whittal, M. L., & O’Neill, M. L. (2008). Perfectionism and treatment outcome in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 32, 676–688. doi:10.1007/s10608-007-9133-2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Derogatis, L. R. (1977). SCL-90: Administration, scoring, and procedure manual. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Derogatis, L. R. (1993). Brief symptom inventory: Administration, scoring, and procedures manual (4th ed.). Minneapolis: NCS Pearson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Derogatis, L., & Meliseratos, N. (1983). The brief symptom inventory: An introductory report. Psychological Medicine, 13, 595–605.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Di Shiena, R., Luminet, O., Philippot, P., & Douilliez, C. (2012). Adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism in depression: Preliminary evidence on the role of adaptive and maladaptive rumination. Personality and Individual Differences, 53, 774–778. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2012.05.017.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DiBartolo, P. M., Frost, R. O., Dixon, A., & Almodovar, S. (2001). Can cognitive restructuring reduce the disruption associated with perfectionistic concerns? Behavior Therapy, 32, 167–184. doi:10.1016/S0005-7894(01)80051-4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Downey, C. A., & Chang, E. C. (2007). Perfectionism and symptoms of eating disturbances in female college students: Considering the role of negative affect and body dissatisfaction. Eating Behaviors, 8, 497–503. doi:10.1016/j.eatbeh.2007.02.002.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Egan, S. J., Wade, T. D., & Shafran, R. (2011). Perfectionism as a transdiagnostic process: A clinical review. Clinical Psychology Review, 31, 203–212. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2010.04.009.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, A. (2002). Overcoming resistance: A rational emotive behavior therapy integrated approach (2nd ed.). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fairburn, C. G., Cooper, Z., & Shafran, R. (2003). Cognitive behavior therapy for eating disorders: A “transdiagnostic” theory and treatment. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 41, 509–528. doi:10.1016/S0005-7967(02)00088-8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ferguson, K. L., & Rodway, M. R. (1994). Cognitive behavioral treatment of perfectionism: Initial evaluation studies. Research on Social Work Practice, 4, 283–308.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flett, G. L., & Hewitt, P. L. (2002). Perfectionism and maladjustment: An overview of theoretical, definitional, and treatment issues. In G. L. Flett & P. L. Hewitt (Eds.), Perfectionism: Theory, research, and treatment (pp. 5–31). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Flett, G. L., & Hewitt, P. L. (2008). Treatment interventions for perfectionism—A cognitive perspective: Introduction to the special issue. Journal of Rational-Emotive Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, 26, 127–133. doi:10.1007/s10942-007-0063-4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flett, G. L., Nepon, T., & Hewitt, P. L. (2016). Perfectionism, worry, and rumination in health and mental health: A review and a conceptual framework for a cognitive theory of perfectionism. In F. M. Sirois & D. S. Molnar (Eds.), Perfectionism, health, and well-being (pp. 121–155). New York: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Frost, R. O., & Marten, P. A. (1990). Perfectionism and evaluative threat. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 14, 559–572.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frost, R. O., Marten, P., Lahart, C., & Rosenblate, R. (1990). The dimensions of perfectionism. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 14, 449–468.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frost, R. O., Trepanier, K. L., Brown, E. J., Heimberg, R. G., Juster, H. R., Makris, G. S., et al. (1997). Self-monitoring of mistakes among subjects high and low in perfectionistic concern over mistakes. Cognitive Research and Therapy, 21, 209–222.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greenspon, T. S. (2008). Making sense of error: A view of the origins and treatment of perfectionism. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 62, 263–282.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Handley, A. K., Egan, S. J., Kane, R. T., & Rees, C. S. (2015). A randomised controlled trial of group cognitive behavioural therapy for perfectionism. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 68, 37–47. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2015.02.006.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hewitt, P. L., & Flett, G. L. (1991). Perfectionism in the self and social contexts: Conceptualization, assessment, and association with psychopathology. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 60, 456–470.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hill, R. W., Huelsman, T. J., & Araujo, G. (2010). Perfectionistic concerns suppress associations between perfectionistic strivings and positive life outcomes. Personality and Individual Differences, 48, 584–589. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2009.12.011.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kearns, H., Forbes, A., & Gardiner, M. (2007). A cognitive behavioural coaching intervention for the treatment of perfectionism and self-handicapping in a nonclinical population. Behaviour Change, 24, 157–172. doi:10.1375/bech.24.3.157.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kirsch, D. J., Pinder-Amaker, S. L., Morse, C., Ellison, M. L., Doerfler, L. A., & Riba, M. B. (2014). Population-based initiatives in college mental health: Students helping students to overcome obstacles. Current Psychiatry Reports, 16, 525. doi:10.1007/s11920-014-0525-1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Klibert, J., Lamis, D. A., Collins, W., Smalley, K. B., Warren, J. C., Yancey, C. T., et al. (2014). Resilience mediates the relations between perfectionism and college student distress. Journal of Counseling and Development, 92, 75–82. doi:10.1002/j.1556-6676.2014.00132.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klibert, J. J., Langhinrichsen-Rohling, J., & Saito, M. (2005). Adaptive and maladaptive aspects of self-oriented versus socially prescribed perfectionism. Journal of College Student Development, 46, 141–156. doi:10.1353/csd.2005.0017.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lloyd, S., Fleming, C., & Tchanturia, K. (2015). Perfectionism short format group for inpatients. In K. Tchanturia (Ed.), Brief group psychotherapy for eating disorders: Inpatient protocols (pp. 107–120). New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lloyd, S., Schmidt, U., Khondoker, M., & Tchanturia, K. (2014). Can psychological interventions reduce perfectionism? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy. doi:10.1017/S1352465814000162.

  • Lo, A., & Abbott, M. J. (2013). Review of the theoretical, empirical, and clinical status of adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism. Behaviour Change, 30, 96–116. doi:10.1017/bec.2013.9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Macedo, A., Marques, M., & Pereira, A. T. (2014). Perfectionism and psychological distress: A review of the cognitive factors. International Journal of Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health, 2014(1), 6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moore, C., & Barrow, J. C. (1986). Perfectionistic thinking in university students: Implications for individual treatment. In J. E. Talley & W. J. K. Rockwell (Eds.), Counseling and psychotherapy with college students: A guide to treatment (pp. 100–112). New York: Praeger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, L. L., Impara, J. C., & Plake, B. S. (Eds.). (1999). Tests in print V: An index to tests, test reviews, and the literature on specific tests. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Preusser, K. J., Rice, K. G., & Ashby, J. S. (1994). The role of self-esteem in mediating the perfectionism-depression connection. Journal of College Student Development, 35, 88–93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pritchard, M. E., Wilson, G. S., & Yamnitz, B. (2007). What predicts adjustment among college students? A longitudinal panel study. Journal of American College Health, 56, 15–21. doi:10.3200/JACH.56.1.15-22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rice, K. G., & Van Arsdale, A. C. (2010). Perfectionism, perceived stress, drinking to cope, and alcohol-related problems among college students. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 57, 439–450. doi:10.1037/a0020221.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Riley, C., Lee, M., Cooper, Z., Fairburn, C. G., & Shafran, R. (2007). A randomised controlled trial of cognitive-behaviour therapy for clinical perfectionism: A preliminary study. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 45, 2221–2231. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2006.12.003.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Roxborough, H. M., Hewitt, P. L., Kaldas, J., Flett, G. L., Caelian, C. M., Sherry, S., et al. (2012). Perfectionistic self-presentation, socially prescribed perfectionism, and suicide in youth: A test of the perfectionism social disconnection model. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 42, 217–233. doi:10.1111/j.1943-278X.2012.00084.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shafran, R., Cooper, Z., & Fairburn, C. G. (2002). Clinical perfectionism: A cognitive behavioural analysis. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 40, 773–791. doi:10.1016/S0005-7967(01)00059-6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shafran, R., McManus, F., & Lee, M. (2008). A case of anxiety disorder not otherwise specified (DNOS): A transdiagnostic approach. International Journal of Cognitive Therapy, 1, 256–265. doi:10.1521/ijct.2008.1.3.256.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sirois, F. M. (2014). Absorbed in the moment? An investigation of procrastination, absorption and cognitive failures. Personality and Individual Differences, 71, 30–34. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2014.07.016.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slade, P. D., & Owens, R. G. (1998). A dual process model of perfectionism based on reinforcement theory. Behavior Modification, 22, 372–390. doi:10.1177/01454455980223010.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Slaney, R. B., Rice, K. G., & Ashby, J. S. (2002). A programmatic approach to measuring perfectionism: The Almost Perfect scales. In G. L. Flett & P. L. Hewitt (Eds.), Perfectionism: Theory, research, and treatment (pp. 63–88). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Slaney, R. B., Rice, K. G., Mobley, M., Trippi, J., & Ashby, J. S. (2001). The revised almost perfect scale. Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development, 34, 130–145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spielberger, C. D., Gorsuch, R. L., Lushene, R., Vagg, P. R., & Jacobs, G. A. (1983). Manual for the state-trait anxiety inventory (Form Y Self-Evaluation Questionnaire). Redwood City, CA: Mind Garden.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stoeber, J., Kobori, O., & Brown, A. (2014). Examining mutual suppression effects in the assessment of perfectionism cognitions: Evidence supporting multidimensional assessment. Assessment, 21, 647–660. doi:10.1177/1073191114534884.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, Y., Gan, Y., & Cham, H. (2007). Perfectionism, academic burnout and engagement among Chinese college students: A structural equation modeling analysis. Personality and Individual Differences, 43, 1529–1540. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2007.04.010.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zuroff, D. C., Kelly, A. C., Leybman, M. J., Blatt, S. J., & Wampold, B. E. (2010). Between-therapist and within-therapist differences in the quality of the therapeutic relationship: Effects on maladjustment and self-critical perfectionism. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 66, 681–697. doi:10.1002/jclp.20683.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA

    Marcus T. LaSota

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, 89154-5030, USA

    Emma H. Ross & Christopher A. Kearney

Authors
  1. Marcus T. LaSota
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Emma H. Ross
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Christopher A. Kearney
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christopher A. Kearney.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

LaSota, M.T., Ross, E.H. & Kearney, C.A. A Cognitive-Behavioral-Based Workshop Intervention for Maladaptive Perfectionism. J Rat-Emo Cognitive-Behav Ther 35, 314–328 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-017-0261-7

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-017-0261-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation