Perfectionism Profiles Among Hospital Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Validation Study of a Multidimensional Scale

To adapt and validate the Multidimensional Inventory of Perfectionism for hospital nurses, identify distinct perfectionism profiles, and examine associated factors and outcomes.

Perfectionism in nursing, shaped by both internal standards and diverse external pressures, requires a multidimensional, context-sensitive assessment to identify nurses at risk for poor health and lower perceptions of patient safety.

This descriptive cross-sectional study used expert review to assess content validity and a survey of hospital nurses to test construct validity and reliability. Latent profile analysis identified subgroups, and regression models examined associations with personal and work factors, emotional distress, and self-perceived patient safety.

The adapted scale showed strong validity and high internal consistency. Four latent profiles emerged: Nonperfectionism, Self-Oriented Perfectionism, Externally Pressured Nonperfectionism, and High-Pressure Perfectionism. Profile membership was related to gender, nursing experience, staffing adequacy, and pandemic-related patient care. Compared with Nonperfectionism, all three profiles involving perfectionistic tendencies or external pressure were associated with greater emotional distress. Externally Pressured Nonperfectionism and High-Pressure Perfectionism were also associated with less favorable self-perceived patient safety, with High-Pressure Perfectionism showing a particularly adverse pattern.

The adapted measure effectively captured internal dimensions and source-specific external pressures of nurse perfectionism. Profiles differed meaningfully in risks for emotional well-being and safety perceptions.

The study findings support healthcare organizations, nurse leaders, and policymakers in developing targeted interventions to safeguard nurses' well-being and optimize patient care.

Nurse leaders should address high-pressure perfectionism through unit-level staffing review, supportive feedback, and just culture-based error review.

Health policy should support minimum nurse-to-patient ratios and non-punitive incident reporting systems to reduce harmful perfectionistic pressures and support sustainable nursing practice.