Meta-analysis of the relationship between self-critical perfectionism and depressive symptoms: Comparison between Asian American and Asian international college students.

A body of research has been dedicated to demonstrating the relationship of perfectionism with a range of mental health indicators. Self-critical perfectionism, a component of perfectionism, has been framed primarily in a negative light within the mental health context. Given that research informs educational and clinical practices, it is important to explore the degree to which such findings generalize across cultures and subcultures. The current meta-analytic research systemically collated studies conducted with Asian college students with a particular attention to exploring whether orientation to Asian culture and cultural values correspondingly moderates the relationship between self-critical perfectionism and depressive symptoms. The degree of upholding Asian cultural values was represented by group identity (i.e., Asian American and Asian international). Eleven studies (N = 3,239) were identified through the literature search. Findings from the random-effects meta-analysis indicated a significant relationship between self-critical perfectionism and depressive symptoms in the overall sample. The group identity significantly moderated the relationship; among Asian international college students, self-critical perfectionism appeared to have a less harmful effect on mental distress compared to Asian American college students. Self-cultivation-one of the salient and virtuous Asian cultural values that aligns with self-critical perfectionism-may have motivated continuous striving for self-improvement to fulfill the honorable duty for their family for Asian international students. Additional findings and implications of the study are further discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Resolução de conflitos familiares por adolescentes e defesa do domínio pessoal / Adolescents' family conflict resolution and defense of personal domain / Resolución de conflictos familiares por adolescentes y defensa del dominio personal

Compreender as estratégias de resolução de conflitos utilizadas por adolescentes na relação com seus pais é fundamental para entender como ocorre seu desenvolvimento saudável. Este artigo investigou a resolução de conflitos de adolescentes em situações de confronto entre o seu domínio pessoal e o controle parental. 36 adolescentes com idades entre 15 e 17 anos, divididos igualmente conforme o sexo, responderam a uma entrevista semiestruturada, que continha quatro situações de conflito hipotéticas. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de conteúdo semântica e a testes não paramétricos. Os resultados foram categorizados em sete estratégias: Assunção de culpa, Submissão, Mentira, Hostilidade, Diálogo/Explicação, Negociação e Outra. A forma predominante de resolução utilizada foi o Diálogo/Explicação, considerada como uma forma recorrente de defender o domínio pessoal. Foram encontradas diferenças em relação ao sexo dos participantes e à situação hipotética. Por fim, os resultados são discutidos em termos de grau de autonomia e tipo de defesa do domínio pessoal.(AU)

Understanding the conflict resolution strategies used by adolescents in their relationship with their parents is fundamental to understanding how their healthy development occurs. This article investigated the resolution of conflicts by adolescents in confrontation situations between their personal domain and parental control. A total of 36 adolescents, aged 15 to 17 years, divided equally according to sex, answered a semi-structured interview that contained four hypothetical conflict situations. Data were subjected to semantic content analysis and non-parametric tests. The results were categorized into seven strategies: Assumption of Guilt, Submission, Lie, Hostility, Dialogue/Explanation, Negotiation, and Other. The predominant form of resolution used was Dialogue/Explanation, considered a recurrent form of defense of the personal domain. Differences were found depending on the participants' gender and the hypothetical situation. Finally, the results are discussed regarding the degree of autonomy and type of defense of the personal domain.(AU)

Enterarse de las estrategias de resolución de conflictos que los adolescentes utilizan en la relación con sus padres es fundamental para comprender cómo ocurre el desarrollo saludable de los adolescentes. A partir de una entrevista semiestructurada, presentamos cuatro situaciones hipotéticas de conflicto que fueron analizadas y respondidas por 36 adolescentes de entre 15 y 17 años, divididos según el género. Los datos se sometieron a un análisis de contenido semántico y a pruebas no paramétricas. Los resultados se categorizaron en siete estrategias de resolución de conflictos: Asunción de culpa, Sumisión, Mentira, Hostilidad, Diálogo/Explicación, Negociación y Otros. La forma de resolución más utilizada fue Diálogo/Explicación, y esta categoría fue una forma de defensa del dominio personal. Asimismo, se encontraron diferencias en función del género de los participantes y conforme la situación hipotética. Los resultados se discuten en términos de grado de autonomía y tipo de defensa del dominio personal.(AU)

Direct and indirect assessment of perfectionism in patients with depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

According to the transdiagnostic perspective, psychological disorders share common cognitive processes involved in their pathogenesis. One dysfunctional belief that has been found to be associated with several psychological disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), is perfectionism. Perfectionism comprises two factors, namely, perfectionistic strivings and perfectionistic concerns. This study aims to replicate and extend previous research in several ways. We aimed to assess similarities between the two disorders using Bayesian statistics. Furthermore, as dysfunctional beliefs are assumed to not be fully accessible by introspection, we included an indirect measure (perfectionism single category implicit association task; SC-IAT). The SC-IAT and a self-report measure of perfectionism (FMPS) was used in patients with MDD (n = 55), OCD (n = 55), and in healthy controls (n = 64). In replication of previous findings, patients with MDD and OCD differed from healthy controls regarding self-reported perfectionism scores. Furthermore, Bayesian statistics showed that the two patient groups did not differ regarding perfectionistic strivings and only showed differences on perfectionistic concerns, when the doubts about actions subscale-which is also closely related to symptoms of OCD-was included. Contrary to our expectations, the SC-IAT did not discriminate groups. In conclusion, these results give further evidence that self-reported perfectionism may serve as a relevant transdiagnostic process. More studies are needed to assess implicit facets of perfectionism.

Is the Predisposition to Have More Children Beneficial among Parents with Only One Child? Evidence from Spanish Parents.

The fertility deficit in many European countries is related to a low rate of second births. Understanding the factors associated with the predisposition of one-child parents to have more children could contribute to the search for solutions to this social problem. Although previous evidence highlights the role of employment and social factors, psychological factors have been poorly investigated. This study examines the relationship between different psychosocial factors (rumination, personality, life satisfaction, perfectionism, social support, parental stress, guilt linked to work-family conflict, age and child temperament) and parents' predisposition to have more children. The sample consisted of 96 one-child Spanish parents whose child was in early childhood education (59.3% women; Mage = 37.41). The results show that one-child parents with the predisposition to have more children, compared to those without a predisposition to have more children, showed higher levels of life satisfaction, extroversion and adaptive perfectionism but lower levels of rumination and parental stress. The social implications of these findings and how they may affect parenting today are discussed.

Psychometric Assessment of the Persian Translated Version of the Romantic Perfectionism Scale Among Couples.

Romantic perfectionismi can be disruptive to relationships, yet no validated measure for assessing romantic perfectionism in Iranian couples has been developed. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to translate and validate the Romantic Perfectionism Scale (RPS) among Iranian couples. Participants in the study were 200 married men and 320 married women from Tehran, Iran, who completed the translated RPS, the Almost Perfect Scale-Revised, and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 online. Item impact scores were used to calculate face validity. Impact score values for all items were greater than 1.5, signaling appropriate face validity.. The Content Validity Index (CVI) and the Content Validity Ratio (CVR) were used to measure content validity. Values of the CVI were above the cut-off score of 0.7, implying satisfactory content validity of the items. The CVR values were greater than the Lawshe table (0.78) cut-off score, demonstrating that all items were essential. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) using AMOS software was used to evaluate the construct validity. The results of the goodness of fit indices confirmed the RPS with two subscales (i.e., self-oriented romantic perfectionism and other-oriented romantic perfectionism) as per the original scale. All items remained in the scale as all factor loading values were greater than 0.45. The findings showed that the two subscales, and the scale as a whole, had acceptable internal consistency, as the construct reliability values for self-oriented romantic perfectionism (0.81), other-oriented romantic perfectionism (0.72), and the whole scale (0.74) were greater than 0.7. The results support the psychometric properties of the Iranian version of the RPS, which could be used by future researchers and clinicians to assess romantic perfectionism in Iranian couples.

Religious Perfectionism Scale: Assessment of Validity and Reliability Among Undergraduate Students in Iran.

Religious perfectionism is a construct that may help to either improve mental health or cause mental health difficulties. The Religious Perfectionism Scale (RPS; Wang in J Relig Health 59: 318-333, 2020) is a useful tool for assessing religious perfectionism around the world, but its psychometric properties have yet to be tested in Iran. The sample in the present study consisted of 300 Iranian undergraduate students (180 females) from Azad University who completed the RPS, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-2, and the Moral Perfectionism Scale. The impact score was used to determine face validity, and the values of the impact score for all translated items were greater than 1.5, meaning that the items had satisfactory face validity. The Content Validity Index (CVI) values were above the acceptable cutoff score of 0.7, indicating the acceptable content validity of items. The Content Validity Ratio (CVR) scores were greater than the cutoff score of the Lawshe table (.78), indicating the satisfactory essentiality of the items. To measure construct validity, the results of a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using AMOS software confirmed the scale with two subscales (zealous religious dedication and religious self-criticism). No item was removed from the scale as all factor loading values were greater than 0.49. The findings support the psychometric properties of the scale for measuring religious perfectionism among undergraduate students in Iran.

Nationality and sociocultural factors influence athlete development and sport outcomes: Perspectives from United States and Austrian youth alpine ski racing.

Geographical regions possess distinct sporting cultures that can influence athletic development from a young age. The United States (US) and Austria both produce elite alpine ski racers, yet have distinct sport structures (i.e., funding, skiing prominence). In this exploratory study, we investigated sport outcomes and psychological profiles in adolescent alpine ski racers attending skill development academies in the US (N= 169) and Austria (N= 209). Sport participation and psychological questionnaires (mental toughness, perfectionism, grit, coping, burnout) were administered to athletes. In Austria, athletes participated in fewer extracurricular sports, began competing and training younger, and accumulated less practice hours than athletes in the US. Athletes in the US reported greater burnout than athletes in Austria. Finally, in the US, women accumulated more practice hours and experienced more parental pressure than men, while men accumulated more practice hours in Austria. Austria's skiing-centric sport culture may encourage athletes to fully immerse into the sport, contributing to positive psychological outcomes. Reduced sport opportunities in the US beyond educational institutions may pressure athletes to practice more to ensure continued competitive skiing. Stressors for sport participation will be unique to gender in each country though, given their implicit gender stigmas for sport participation.

Adaptação e validação da escala de perfeccionismo Almost Perfect Scale-Revised para o português brasileiro / Adaptation and validation for Brazilian Portuguese of the Revised Almost Perfect Scale / Adaptación y validación de la escala de perfeccionismo Almost Perfect Scale-Revised para el portugués brasileño

O perfeccionismo é um construto multidimensional cujo estudo vem aumentando desde os anos de 1990. Uma das escalas mais utilizadas para sua mensuração é a Almost Perfect Scale - Revised (APS-R), composta por três dimensões: Padrões, Discrepância e Ordem. Devido à ausência de medidas como essa no Brasil, este estudo objetivou adaptar e analisar as propriedades psicométricas da APS-R em uma amostra brasileira, por meio da análise de sua estrutura interna e levantamento de sua confiabilidade. Participaram 787 universitários (79,3% do sexo feminino), idade média de 25,98 anos (DP = 7,29) que responderam à APS-R e a um questionário sociodemográfico. Os itens adaptados mostraram IVC adequados: equivalência semântica (0,99), cultural (0,94) e conceitual (0,94). Dentre os modelos estruturais testados, o bifatorial mostrou-se superior aos demais (χ2 = 452,371; TLI = 0,94; CFI = 0,96; RMSEA = 0,047). Assim, a escala apresentou propriedades psicométricas satisfatórias para uso no Brasil, tanto no que se refere à sua validade quanto confiabilidade. São discutidas limitações e implicações do estudo. (AU)

The study of perfectionism as a multidimensional construct has increased since the 1990's. The Almost Perfect Scale (APS-R) is widely used across studies to measure perfectionism; it is composed by three dimensions: High Standards, Discrepancy, and Order. However, despite increasing interest in the measurement of perfectionism, there were no scales available for Brazilian-Portuguese. Accordingly, we aimed to adapt the APS-R and to analyze the psychometric properties and test confirmatory models for the Brazilian version of the Almost Perfect Scale (APS-R Brasil). A sample of university students (n=787) with a mean age 25.98 years (SD=7.29), 79.3% women, completed the APS-RB. The adapted items demonstrated semantic, cultural and conceptual adequacy (all CVI <90). The ESEM two factor model, showed the better fit index (χ²= 452.371; TLI=0.94; CFI=0.96; RMSEA=0.047). The Brazilian version of APS-R was shown to be valid and reliable. Limitations and implications of the study are discussed. (AU)

El estudio del perfeccionismo como un constructo multidimensional ha aumentado desde los años 90. La escala Almost Perfect Scale-Revised (APS-R), que se usa ampliamente en los estudios del perfeccionismo, está compuesta por tres factores: altos estándares, la percepción de la discrepancia y el orden. Sin embargo, a pesar del creciente interés en la medición del perfeccionismo, todavía no hay escalas disponibles para el portugués brasileño. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de esta investigación fue adaptar y analizar las propiedades psicométricas, y probar modelos confirmatorios para la APS-R en una muestra brasileña. Dicha muestra se compuso por estudiantes universitarios (n = 787) con una edad media de 25,98 años (DE = 7,29) y 79,3% mujeres. Los ítems adaptados demostraron adecuación semántica, cultural y conceptual (todos los IVC <90). El modelo ESEM Bifactor mostró el mejor índice de ajuste (χ2 = 452,371; TLI = 0,94; CFI = 0,96; RMSEA = 0,047). La versión brasileña de APS-R demostró ser válida y fiable. Aparte, se discute las limitaciones e implicaciones del estudio. (AU)

How does perfectionism affect academic achievement? Examining the mediating role of accurate self-assessment.

Perfectionism, a multidimensional disposition encompassing both positive and negative attributes, has been widely examined in a number of different fields, one of which is academics. However, results of research on the precise connection between perfectionism and academic success remain largely inconclusive. The present study, therefore, attempted to identify this underlying mechanism by examining the mediating role of accurate self-assessment in the relationship between perfectionism and academic achievement of college students. The results revealed that while perfectionistic concerns and strivings did not directly affect academic achievement, their indirect effects were statistically significant. Perfectionistic concerns negatively predicted academic achievement through inaccurate self-assessment, whereas perfectionistic strivings positively predicted academic achievement through accurate self-assessment. These findings are expected to promote a practical and balanced understanding of academic perfectionism by explaining the relationship between the sub-dimensions of perfectionism and academic achievement.

Predictive role of retrospective assessment of parental attitudes of fathers vs. perfectionism and self-esteem of women in early adulthood. / Predykcyjna rola retrospektywnej oceny postaw rodzicielskich ojca a perfekcjonizm i samoocena kobiet w okresie wczesnej doroslosci.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this research was to determine differentiation in respect of self-esteem and perfectionism in the groups of women selected based on the criterion of the quality of retrospective assessment of parental attitudes of fathers. I also searched for predictive value of retrospectively perceived parental attitudes of fathers for the perfectionism and self-esteem of women in early adulthood as well as correlations between self-esteem and types of perfectionism. METHODS: The research included 87 women in early adulthood (M = 21.64; SD = 4.84), from the Lódz Province. The following research tools were used: Questionnaire of Retrospective Assessment of Parental Attitudes, Adaptive and Maladaptive Perfectionism Questionnaire, Multidimensional Self-esteem Inventory. RESULTS: The obtained research results indicate the occurrence of differentiation with regard to self-esteem and perfectionism of women in terms of the quality of retrospective assessment of parental attitudes of fathers. The women who assessed the parental attitudes of their fathers negatively obtained higher mean scores in maladaptive perfectionism and lower ones in general self-esteem and its dimensions (i.e., being loved, self-control, defensive strengthening of selfesteem, self-acceptance, popularity, identity integration) than the women who described the parental attitudes of their fathers as positive. It was found out that retrospective assessment of parental attitudes of fathers, both in the positive and negative aspects, had predictive value in the direction consistent with the expectations for maladaptive perfectionism as well as general self-esteem and its dimensions. It was shown that there were significant correlations between types of perfectionism and general self-esteem. CONCLUSIONS: The fact of indicating the role of retrospective assessment of parental attitudes of fathers in the context of building of self-esteem and perfectionism demonstrated by young women contributes to updating the psychological knowledge in this respect as well as plays a significant part in psychotherapy.

Perfectionism and Social Problem Solving as Predictors of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury in Ethnoracially Diverse College Students: Findings Controlling for Concomitant Suicide Risk.

The present study was designed to examine the extent to which perfectionism and social problem solving add to the prediction model of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), independent of suicide risk, in a sample of 386 ethnoracially diverse college students. Moreover, the authors were interested in whether social problem solving, beyond perfectionism, would account for additional variance in their prediction model. Results indicated that social problem solving did account for significant variance in the prediction model of NSSI, above and beyond perfectionism. Moreover, on controlling for suicide risk, a possible confound for NSSI behaviors, social problem solving was found to account for an additional 4.0 percent of unique variance in the prediction of NSSI, beyond that accounted for by perfectionism. The present findings have theoretical implications for the literature on perfectionism and social problem solving, specifically in relation to NSSI. In addition, the present findings have practical implications for social workers who work with college students engaging in NSSI behaviors.

Topical Review: Perfectionism and Pediatric Chronic Pain: Theoretical Underpinnings, Assessment, and Treatment.

Objective: To use the biopsychosocial model and current literature to clarify conceptual underpinnings between chronic pain and perfectionism in youth, provide recommendations for assessment and treatment of co-existing perfectionism and chronic pain conditions, and suggest a research agenda. Methods: Current literature is used to identify biopsychosocial factors common between pediatric chronic pain and perfectionism, preliminary research findings are presented, and suggestions are made for research that will help inform inclusion and adaptations of assessment tools and interventions to address perfectionism. Results: Biopsychosocial factors that may contribute to the observed relationship between chronic pain and perfectionism seen in many youth are identified. For example, cognitive factors known to be associated with perfectionism (e.g., rumination) may also contribute to pain-related catastrophizing and disability. Biopsychosocial factors may serve as mediating variables between perfectionism and pain-related outcomes among youth with chronic pain and their parents. Conclusions: Research assuming a biopsychosocial perspective is needed to clarify observed links between chronic pain and perfectionism in youth. Findings related to the characterization of perfectionism in pediatric chronic pain will inform how assessment and treatment tools can better identify and address perfectionism.

Perfectionism and negative/positive affect associations: the role of cognitive emotion regulation and perceived distress/coping / Associação entre perfecionismo e afeto negativo e positivo: o papel da regulação emocional cognitiva e do stresse/coping percebidos

Abstract Objective To explore 1) if perfectionism, perceived distress/coping, and cognitive emotion regulation (CER) are associated with and predictive of negative/positive affect (NA/PA); and 2) if CER and perceived distress/coping are associated with perfectionism and if they mediate the perfectionism-NA/PA associations. There is a distinction between maladaptive and adaptive perfectionism in its association with NA/PA. CER and perceived distress/coping may mediate the maladaptive/adaptive perfectionism and NA/PA associations. Methods 344 students (68.4% girls) completed the Hewitt & Flett and the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scales, the Composite Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, the Profile of Mood States, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. Results NA predictors were maladaptive/adaptive perfectionism, maladaptive CER and perceived distress (positively), positive reappraisal and planning, and perceived coping (negatively). PA predictors were maladaptive/adaptive perfectionism and perceived distress (negatively), positive reappraisal and planning, positive refocusing and perceived coping (positively). The association between maladaptive perfectionism and NA was mediated by maladaptive CER/low adaptive CER, perceived distress/low coping. Maladaptive perfectionism and low PA association was mediated by perceived distress. High PA was determined by low maladaptive perfectionism and this association was mediated by adaptive REC and coping. Adaptive perfectionism and NA association was mediated by maladaptive CER and perceived distress. Conclusion CER and perceived distress/coping are associated and mediate the perfectionism-NA/PA associations.

Resumo Objetivo Explorar 1) se o perfeccionismo, o estresse/copingpercebidos e a regulação emocional cognitiva (REC) estão associadas e predizem o afeto negativo/positivo (AN/AP); e 2) se a REC e o estresse/copingestão associados e mediam a relação perfeccionismo-AN/AP. Existe uma distinção entre o perfeccionismo mal-adaptativo/adaptativo na associação com o AN/AP. A REC e o estresse/copingpoderão mediar as associações entre o perfeccionismo mal-adaptativo/adaptativo-AN/AP. Métodos 344 estudantes (68.4% do sexo feminino) completaram as Escalas Multidimensionais do Perfeccionismo de Hewitt & Flett e de Frost, a Escala Multidimensional de Perfeccionismo Compósita, o Perfil dos Estados de Humor, a Escala de Estresse Percebido e o Questionário da Regulação Emocional Cognitiva. Resultados Os preditores do AN foram o perfeccionismo adaptativo/mal-adaptativo, a REC mal-adaptativa e o estresse percebido (positivamente), a reavaliação positiva e planeamento e o coping(negativamente). Os preditores do AP foram o perfeccionismo adaptativo/mal-adaptativo e o estresse percebido (negativamente), a reavaliação positiva e planeamento, a refocalização positiva e o copingpercebido (positivamente). A associação entre o perfeccionismo mal-adaptativo e o AN foi mediada pela REC mal-adaptativa/baixa REC adaptativa, pelo estresse/baixo copingpercebidos. A associação entre o perfeccionismo mal-adaptativo/adaptativo e baixo AP foi mediada pelo estresse percebido. O elevado AP foi determinado pelo baixo perfeccionismo mal-adaptativo e esta associação foi mediada pela REC adaptativa e pelo coping. A associação entre o perfeccionismo adaptativo e o AN foi mediada pela REC mal-adaptativa e pelo estresse percebido. Conclusão A REC e o estresse/copingpercebidos estão associados e medeiam as associações entre o perfeccionismo e AN/AP.

Orthorexia nervosa: Assessment and correlates with gender, BMI, and personality.

This study investigated whether orthorexia nervosa (ON; characterized by an obsessive fixation on eating healthy) may be predicted from the demographics variables of gender and BMI, and from the personality variables of self-esteem, narcissism, and perfectionism. Participants were 459 college students, who completed several online questionnaires that assessed these variables. A principal components analysis confirmed that the Eating Habits Questionnaire (Gleaves, Graham, & Ambwani, 2013) assesses three internally-consistent ON components: healthy eating behaviors, problems resulting from those behaviors, and positive feelings associated with those behaviors. A MANOVA and its tests of between subjects effects then revealed significant interactions between gender and BMI, such that for men but not women, a higher BMI was associated with greater symptomatology for all ON components. Partial correlation analyses, after controlling for gender and BMI, revealed that both narcissism and perfectionism were positively correlated with all aspects of ON symptomatology.

Can the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale assess perfeccionismo?

Although culture-based measurement bias threatens the validity of intergroup comparison research, measurement invariance is often assumed rather than demonstrated by researchers who draw conclusions about cross-cultural similarities or differences. The current article investigates the cross-cultural invariance of a popular measure of perfectionism, the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (F-MPS; Frost, Marten, Lahart, & Rosenblate, 1990) for a Hispanic/Latina sample. Perfectionism, which encompasses high goal setting and sensitivity to critical evaluation, is a transdiagnostic risk factor for internalizing psychopathology that especially warrants focus among groups burdened by mental health disparities. Multiple samples were used in a series of analyses to construct a baseline first-order measurement model and test for cross-group equivalence. For model development, confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) were used with 320 female participants (Mage = 19.61 years) who identified primarily (n = 301) as European/European American. Measurement invariance testing was conducted with multigroup CFAs using another sample of female adults (n = 574; Mage = 21.21 years), identifying either as European/European American (n = 217) or Hispanic/Latina/Latin American (n = 357). Evidence was found for invariance across the revised F-MPS factor structure, pattern of factor loadings, and factor variances/covariances. Results indicate that predictive relationships may be compared across these groups, but caution is suggested when interpreting raw mean score differences due to intercept nonequivalence. Further, second-order model testing demonstrated support for the bidimensional model of perfectionism cross-culturally. Future research on perfectionism within the Latino/a population is encouraged using this equivalent item set. (PsycINFO Database Record

The cost of perfection with apparent ease: Theoretical foundations and development of the Effortless Perfectionism Scale.

Effortless perfection is a term used to describe an intense pressure to be perfect without visible effort (Yee, 2003), and is thought to be linked to several indicators of maladjustment among college-age youth (Ruane, 2012; Yee, 2003). Although effortless perfectionism (EP) is a phenomenon referenced in popular culture, empirical support for this construct is needed. In addition to conceptualizing and discussing the theoretical underpinnings of EP, this paper describes the development of an instrument to assess EP: the 10-item Effortless Perfectionism scale (EPS). The responses of a large sample of students from a Midwestern university (N = 1,270) were used to develop a 1-factor measurement model for the EPS. The EPS showed good internal consistency and test-retest reliability, and demonstrated convergent, discriminant, and incremental validity in relation to other perfectionism scales, as a predictor of psychosocial adjustment, and as a mediator of the effects of gender on adjustment. The present study supports the reliability and construct validity of the EPS as a self-report measure of EP, a distinct type of perfectionism that warrants future investigation.