Symposia
Program / Treatment Design
Shanara Visvalingam, Other
Macquarie University
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Hannah McHardy, BPsych(Hons)
Associate Investigator
Macquarie University
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Susanne Norder, BPsych(Hons), MClinPsych
Associate Investigator
Macquarie University
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Natasha Magson, PhD
Associate Investigator
Macquarie University
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Melissa M. Norberg, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Macquarie University
Macquarie Park, New South Wales, Australia
Background: The ‘perfectionism pandemic’ (i.e., the growing and widespread prevalence of perfectionism) is a significant problem in university students. Prior research with university samples have found perfectionism to predict psychological distress and poor academic performance, suggesting that perfectionism confers risk for poor psychological well-being in university students. The experience of COVID-19 may be exacerbating the heightened levels of social disconnection and psychological distress found among those vulnerable due to perfectionism. As such, programs that target perfectionism in university students may reduce their psychological distress and overall vulnerability to psychopathology. Guided by the Perfectionism Social Disconnection Model, the purpose of the current mixed methods feasibility study was to evaluate the efficacy and acceptability of a brief online intervention.
Methods: Seventy university students (83.9% female; Mage = 19) reporting moderate to extreme levels of perfectionism during the COVID-19 pandemic completed the two hour online ‘Intentional Imperfection Program’ (IIP). The IIP aims to reduce the negative consequences associated with perfectionism by including techniques to increase mindfulness, compassion for self and others, distress tolerance, and social skills. Participants completed self-report measures at baseline and at a two-week follow-up to understand its strengths and weaknesses and assess its potential usefulness.
Results: Quantitative data showed statistically significant small to moderate reductions in self-oriented perfectionism (d = -0.48, p < .001), socially-prescribed perfectionism (d = 0.40, p < .001), hostility (r = 0.53, p < .001), rejection sensitivity (d = 0.37, p < .001), depression (r = -0.47, p < .001), and anxiety (r = -0.33, p = .010) and a small increase in perceived social support (r = -0.29, p = .023). Thematic analyses of qualitative data indicated that participants found the IIP feasible, enjoyable, and useful; however, the flexibility of the IIP could be improved.
Conclusions: Our preliminary results support the use of a theory-driven approach for targeting multidimensional perfectionism using the IIP. Given that university students rarely seek or receive any psychological treatment due to financial and time constraints, the easily disseminated IIP may be a more practical alternative for university students compared to longer, more intensive treatments. As such, a randomized control trial is warranted to further evaluate the efficacy of the IIP.