A cognitive -behavioral -based workshop intervention for perfectionism

Perfectionistic thinking, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors can have negative influences on mental and physical health. Overly rigid and self-critical perfectionistic thinking also complicates treatment for people seeking to alleviate mental health and medical concerns. Several researchers have offered suggestions for treating perfectionism, but no empirical treatment studies with follow-up results have been published. Only DiBartolo, Frost, Dixon, and Almodovar (2001) conducted a brief manipulation of public speaking fears related to concern over mistakes and employed a control group. The current study expanded the research literature with the creation and evaluation of a 3-hour cognitive-behavioral workshop for perfectionism. The results indicate that this workshop was effective in specifically reducing maladaptive perfectionism, while also lowering depression and general distress ratings. Individuals with moderate and high pre-treatment levels of perfectionism maintained treatment gains at 3-week and 3-month follow-ups. Treatment gains in depression and general distress were maintained by women at 3-week and 3-month follow-ups while immediate treatment effects in men appeared to slightly rebound at 3-months. The workshop thus provided an effective, brief treatment intervention for perfectionism and related psychopathology. The workshop is expected to favorably apply to clinical populations and those referred specifically for maladaptive perfectionism treatment. Adaptations of the workshop might also be beneficial in targeting those at risk for maladaptive perfectionism such as individuals routinely exposed to high pressure performance situations