Changes in perfectionism following cognitive-behavioral treatment for social phobia.

Full Abstract

Previous studies have found that social phobia (social anxiety disorder) is associated with elevated levels of perfectionism, particularly concerns over making mistakes (CM) and doubts about actions (DA). This study investigated the extent to which various dimensions of perfectionism change as a result of participating in a 12-session cognitive-behavioral group treatment for social phobia. One hundred seven individuals completed the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale before and after treatment. Participants improved on several measures of social anxiety, generalized anxiety, and depression. With respect to perfectionism, significant reductions were seen on total perfectionism scores and scores on particular dimensions (CM, DA, organization), but not on other dimensions (personal standards, parental expectations, parental criticism). Furthermore, changes in DA and to some extent CM predicted posttreatment levels of social anxiety after controlling for pretreatment levels of social anxiety and changes in anxiety and depression. Implications of these findings are discussed.

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Author information

Author/s: Ashbaugh, Andrea (A); Antony, Martin M (MM); Liss, Andrea (A); Summerfeldt, Laura J (LJ); McCabe, Randi E (RE); Swinson, Richard P (RP);

Affiliation: Anxiety Treatment and Research Centre, St. Joseph's Healthcare, and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Depression and anxiety (Depress Anxiety), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-; vol 24 (issue 3) : pp 169-77

Dates: Created 2007/04/24; Completed 2007/07/10;

PMID: 16900464, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Cognitive Therapy - methods
Demography
Depressive Disorder, Major - diagnosis; epidemiology; psychology
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Female

Humans
Male
Personality Disorders - diagnosis; etiology; psychology
Phobic Disorders - epidemiology; psychology; therapy
Questionnaires
Severity of Illness Index

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