Investigating the Efficacy of an Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioural Intervention for Perfectionism in Postsecondary Students
Date
2018
Authors
Taylor, Kristyn
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Abstract
Perfectionism is associated with depression, anxiety and stress in postsecondary students, and has increased in this population. In light of these findings, this study investigated the effectiveness of an internet-based cognitive behavioural intervention (Overcoming Perfectionism) in reducing perfectionism, depression, anxiety and stress in postsecondary students. Participants completed pre-intervention measures of two dimensions of perfectionism (concern over mistakes and personal standards), depression, anxiety, stress and the Big Five personality traits, and were then randomised to either an intervention group or a waitlist control group. The intervention group were required to complete at least three of the eight modules that constitute Overcoming Perfectionism over a 3-week intervention period, whilst the waitlist control group were not granted access to the intervention. Both groups then completed post-intervention measures of perfectionism, depression, anxiety and stress. After applying exclusion criteria, the final sample consisted of 61 undergraduate university students (81.97% female) between 16 and 29 years of age (M = 19.62, SD = 2.33). One-way ANOVAs and pairwise comparisons revealed that there were specifically a significantly greater mean decrease in scores on the concern over mistakes and personal standards measures in participants in the intervention group initially high on these dimensions of perfectionism from pre- to post-intervention. These findings provide preliminary evidence that Overcoming Perfectionism is an effective intervention for significantly reducing concern over mistakes and personal standards in postsecondary students who initially have high levels of these aspects of perfectionism. Limitations and future study ideas were discussed.
School/Discipline
School of Psychology
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Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2018
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