Assessing self-critical perfectionism in clinical depression.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Psychopathology

Background:

• Perfectionism is linked to depression and anxiety.
• Self-critical perfectionism combines maladaptive traits and self-criticism.
• Previous research has not fully validated this construct in clinical populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a model for assessing self-critical perfectionism.
• To examine the construct in a sample of clinically depressed adults.
• To differentiate self-critical perfectionism from adaptive achievement striving.

Main Methods:

• Confirmatory factor analysis was used.
• Participants included 356 depressed adult outpatients.
• Scales from 3 instruments measuring perfectionism and self-criticism were employed.

Main Results:

• A model separating self-critical perfectionism from achievement striving was supported.
• Self-critical perfectionism showed larger correlations with distress measures.
• The measure demonstrated discriminant validity.

Conclusions:

• The assessment of self-critical perfectionism is valid.
• Evidence supports its assessment in clinically depressed samples.
• This construct is a significant correlate of distress in depression.