title: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Maladaptive Perfectionism in Medical Students: A Preliminary Investigation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Maladaptive perfectionism is associated with psychological distress and psychopathology. Medical students have been found to be particularly prone to maladaptive perfectionism. Recent research has indicated that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) that targets unhealthy perfectionism leads to reductions in perfectionism and related distress. This preliminary investigation aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a CBT program directed at medical students who had significant levels of maladaptive perfectionism. The impact on associated psychological distress was also assessed.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study used a case series methodology with an A-B design plus follow-up. First-year medical students who screened positive for maladaptive perfectionism and consented for the study (N = 4) were assessed at baseline to evaluate the levels of maladaptive perfectionism, anxiety, and depression. They participated in an eight-session CBT program for reducing maladaptive perfectionism after a waiting period. Assessments were repeated post CBT and at 3- and 6-month follow up periods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results indicated positive and durable effects on maladaptive perfectionism among program participants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The current research provides promising results for the use of CBT in at risk medical students with maladaptive perfectionism.
authors.affiliation: Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA. schand3@slu.edu.
authors.forename: Suma P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Chand
authors.affiliation: Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: John T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Chibnall
authors.affiliation: Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Stuart J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Slavin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000072639:Perfectionism; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Cognitive behavioral therapy; Medical students; Perfectionism