Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Versus Pure Cognitive Behavioural Self-Help for Perfectionism: a Pilot Randomised
Kirsty James1, Katharine A Rimes2
11Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY UK.
Mindfulness
|June 8, 2018
Summary
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) significantly reduced perfectionism and stress in students compared to cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) self-help. MBCT also improved emotional regulation and mindfulness, with lasting effects at follow-up.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Background:
- Perfectionism is a prevalent issue among university students, often leading to significant psychological distress.
- Existing interventions like cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) self-help offer some benefits, but may not fully address the complexities of perfectionism.
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) has shown promise in managing various psychological difficulties, but its specific application to perfectionism in students requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of a tailored mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) intervention against a cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) self-help guide for university students with perfectionism.
- To evaluate the impact of MBCT on perfectionism, stress, and related psychological factors, including unhelpful beliefs, rumination, mindfulness, self-compassion, and decentering.
- To assess the maintenance of treatment effects at a 10-week follow-up and explore potential mediating mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- A pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted with university students experiencing difficulties due to perfectionism.
- Participants were assigned to either a specialized MBCT intervention or a standard CBT self-help condition.
- Assessments were performed at baseline, 8 weeks (end of intervention), and 10-week follow-up using validated questionnaires.
Main Results:
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) participants demonstrated significantly lower levels of perfectionism and stress compared to the CBT self-help group.
- MBCT showed superior improvements in unhelpful beliefs about emotions, rumination, mindfulness, self-compassion, and decentering.
- Treatment gains were maintained at 10-week follow-up, with MBCT also showing superiority in reducing daily impairment from perfectionism. Self-compassion mediated these improvements.
Conclusions:
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is a promising intervention for university students struggling with perfectionism, offering greater benefits than pure CBT self-help.
- The study highlights the role of self-compassion as a key mediator in the therapeutic effects of MBCT for perfectionism.
- Further research with larger sample sizes is warranted to confirm these findings and optimize MBCT for this population.
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