Assessing self-critical perfectionism in clinical depression.
Several facets of perfectionism have been strongly associated with depression and anxiety. Dunkley and Blankstein (2000) combined these maladaptive traits with self-criticism to create a general construct labeled self-critical perfectionism. In this study, we employed confirmatory factor analysis to evaluate a model for assessing self-critical perfectionism in a clinically depressed sample using scales from 3 instruments. Participants were 356 depressed adult outpatients who completed 2 multidimensional measures of perfectionism and a measure of self-criticism. A confirmatory factor model that separated a self-critical perfectionism construct from a more adaptive, achievement-striving component of perfectionism was supported. A composite scale assessing self-critical perfectionism demonstrated much larger correlations with distress measures compared to a composite scale assessing achievement striving and also showed evidence of discriminant validity. In this study, we provided further support for the valid assessment of self-critical perfectionism and extended evidence for its assessment to a clinically depressed sample.
Clara
Ian P
IP
Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Canada. ian_clara@yahoo.ca
Cox
Brian J
BJ
Enns
Murray W
MW
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008350:Manitoba; D008875:Middle Aged; D010552:Personality Assessment; D012649:Self Concept