A preliminary evaluation of cognitive-behaviour therapy for clinical perfectionism: a case series.

Journal article

OBJECTIVE: The construct of 'clinical perfectionism' has been developed in response to criticisms that other approaches have failed to yield advances in the treatment of the type of self-oriented perfectionism that poses a clinical problem. The primary aim of this study was to conduct a preliminary investigation into the efficacy of a theory-driven, cognitive-behavioural intervention for 'clinical perfectionism'. DESIGN: A multiple baseline single case series design was used. METHOD: A specific, 10-session cognitive-behavioural intervention to address clinical perfectionism in eating disorders was adapted to allow its use in nine patients referred with a range of axis I disorders and clinical perfectionism. RESULTS: The intervention led to clinically significant improvements in self-referential perfectionism from pretreatment to follow-up for six of the nine participants on two perfectionism measures and for three of the nine participants on the measure of clinical perfectionism. Statistically significant improvements from pre- to post-intervention for the group as a whole were found on all three measures. The improvements were maintained at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The finding that clinical perfectionism is improved in the majority of participants is particularly encouraging given that perfectionism has traditionally been viewed as a personality characteristic resistant to change. These preliminary findings warrant replication in a larger study.

Authors: Glover, D; Brown, G; Fairburn, C; Shafran, R

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: British journal of clinical psychology / the British Psychological Society
• Volume: 46
• Issue: Pt 1
• Pages: 85-94
• Publication date: 2007-03-01
• DOI: 10.1348/014466506x117388
• ISSN: 0144-6657
• Language: English
• Keywords: Somatoform Disorders; Female; Adult; Comorbidity; Depressive Disorder; Male; Treatment Outcome; Humans; Defense Mechanisms; Anxiety Disorders; Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic; Follow-Up Studies; Middle Aged; Self Concept; Personality Assessment; Internal-External Control; Cognitive Therapy