Jeffrey S. Ashby

An Efficient Method for Classifying Perfectionists.

Multiple samples of university students (N = 1,537) completed the Almost Perfect Scale-Revised (APS-R; R. B. Slaney, M. Mobley, J. Trippi, J. Ashby, & D. G. Johnson, 1996). Cluster analyses, cross-validated discriminant function analyses, and receiver operating characteristic curves for sensitivity and specificity of APS-R scores were used to derive efficient and straightforward calculations and decision rules for classifying students as perfectionists (and as either adaptive or maladaptive). Convergent validity of the cutoff scores for group membership was supported by expected group differences on other measures of perfectionism. Criterion-related (concurrent) validity of the classification scheme was supported by comparison of groups on measures of depression, life satisfaction, and grade point average. The cutoffs and decision rules should prove useful in applied or future research situations in which differentiation of perfectionists and nonperfectionists is desired.

Perfectionism: Its Measurement and Career Relevance

The meaning and measurement of the construct of perfectionism has potentially important implications for career choice and career development. The present article reviews the theoretical and empirical background of perfectionism. It then discusses the scales previously developed to measure perfectionism and describes the development of a new scale, the Almost Perfect Scale (APS; Slaney & Johnson, 1992). Two additional studies are presented on the APS. The first consists of three parts that examine the concurrent validity of the APS and the factor structure of the subscales of the APS relative to the subscales of two other scales developed to measure perfectionism. The second study examines the factor structure of the APS through the use of a confirmatory factor analysis. The results are discussed and suggestions are made for future research that would study the relationship between perfectionism and a variety of career variables.

Perfectionism and the Five-Factor Model of Personality

In this study of the discriminant, convergent, and incremental validity of the Almost Perfect Scale—Revised (APS-R), university students completed the APS-R, additional measures of perfectionism, the NEO Five-Factor Inventory—Form S, and measures of self-esteem and depression. The results revealed expected significant, but not completely overlapping, associations between the APS-R Discrepancy subscale scores and the Five-Factor Model of Personality (FFM) dimension of Neuroticism, and between the APS-R High Standards and Order subscales and the FFM dimension of Conscientiousness. The incremental validity of APS-R scores over FFM dimensions was supported in analyses of self-esteem but not depression. The implications of these findings for further psychometric and clinical studies of perfectionism and facets of FFM dimensions are discussed.

Multidimensional perfectionism in middle school age gifted students: A comparison to peers from the general cohort

The researchers designed this study to investigate levels of multidimensional perfectionism in identified gifted middle school students and a group of their peers from the general cohort. Gifted students (N = 83) were compared with the general cohort (N = 112) from a Southeastern rural middle school (grades 6 through 8). One‐way analyses of variance were used to determine whether gifted and general cohort students differed on measures of adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism. Results revealed that gifted students had significantly higher standards scores, a measure of adaptive perfectionism, and significantly lower discrepancy scores, a measure of maladaptive perfectionism. These results suggest that gifted students are more perfectionistic (i.e., hold higher personal standards) than general cohort students. However, the results do not support the contention that gifted students experience distress or maladjustment from their higher levels of perfectionism (e.g., Maxwell, 1995).

Multidimensional Perfectionism and Self-Reported Self-Efficacy in College Students

Abstract The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between perfectionism and self-efficacy in college students. A multivari-ate analysis of variance including subscales of the Self-Efficacy Scale revealed significant differences between adaptive perfectionists, mal-adaptive perfectionists, and non-perfectionists. Follow-up tests showed that adaptive perfectionists scored significantly higher than both mal-adaptive perfectionists and non-perfectionists on General Self-Efficacy and Social Self-Efficacy. The findings of this study were consistent with the growing literature that suggests perfectionism may be adaptive as well as maladaptive. Implications for practicing counselors and psychotherapists working with the college student population are presented.

Multidimensional Perfectionism and Locus of Control: Adaptive vs. Maladaptive Perfectionism

Abstract To investigate the relationship between perfectionism and locus of control, the researchers administered measures of multidimensional perfectionism and locus of control to two hundred and sixty-two undergraduate students. The researchers found that adaptive perfectionists and maladaptive perfectionists had significantly higher internal locus of control scores than non-perfectionists and that maladaptive perfectionists had significantly higher external locus of control-powerful others than both adaptive perfectionists and non-perfectionists.

Pre-teen alcohol use initiation and suicide attempts among middle and high school students: Findings from the 2006 Georgia Student Health Survey

Early alcohol use initiation has been linked to suicide attempts among youth. However, very little is known about the potential impact of alcohol-related norms and beliefs and how these may impact the association between alcohol use and suicide attempt. This study examines the associations between early alcohol use and suicide attempts while controlling for demographic characteristics, and alcohol-related beliefs and norms (e.g., believing alcohol causes harm to health or that adults or friends disapprove of alcohol use) and potential confounders. Analyses were based on the 2006 Georgia Student Health Survey (N=175,311) of students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12. The current analyses were limited to students in grades 8, 10 and 12, who either began drinking prior to age 13 or who were non drinkers (n=87,349). Pre-teen alcohol use initiation was associated with suicide attempts (Adj.OR=1.51; 95%CI:1.38-1.66) relative to not drinking with similar associations for boys (Adj.OR=1.72; 95%CI:1.52-1.94) and girls (Adj.OR=1.26; 95%CI:1.08-1.45). Students who believed that alcohol was harmful to their health, or that friends or adults disapproved of their alcohol use, or who had been taught about substance use in school were less likely to make a suicide attempt, although findings differed for boys and girls. Pre-teen alcohol use initiation is an important risk factor for suicide attempts among boys and girls in Georgia. Increased efforts to delay and reduce early alcohol use through clinical interventions, education, and policies that impact norms and knowledge related to alcohol use are needed and may in turn reduce suicide attempts.

The Dynamics of Posttraumatic Growth Across Different Trauma Types in a Palestinian Sample

A Palestinian sample was used to explore the dynamics of posttraumatic growth (PTG) across different trauma types. Cumulative trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, PTG, and stress-related growth (SRG) measures were administered. As predicted, only type I traumas were associated with PTG. Type II traumas were not associated with PTG, while type III collective identity traumas were negatively associated with PTG. Results indicated that PTG was not a significant predictor of any mental health symptoms and that PTG is different from SRG, which seems to describe growth in non-traumatic situations. The results suggest that it is important to analyze trauma profiles rather than single trauma.

Perfectionism and Fear of Intimacy: Implications for Relationships:

Numerous examples from the professional literature suggest that perfectionism interferes with close, interpersonal relationships. To investigate the role of perfectionism in close relationships, the authors examined the association between multidimensional perfectionism and a fear of intimacy. Maladaptive perfectionists reported significantly greater fear of intimacy than nonperfectionists. Implications for counselors working with perfectionistic individuals struggling to enter or sustain intimate relationships are discussed.

The Traumatogenic Dynamics of Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Among Arab American, Muslim, and Refugee Clients.

Understanding the dynamics of mental health stigma through existing frameworks, especially in minorities with higher stigma, is problematic. There is a need to reconceptualize stigma, particularly in highly traumatized groups. The current study examines the validity of a new development-based trauma framework that conceptualizes stigma as a type III chronic trauma that contributes to negative mental health effects. This framework proposes that public stigma is a unique chronic traumatic stress that mediates the effects of similar trauma types in mental health patients. To test this proposition, this study explores the relationships between internalized stigma of mental illness (ISMI), different trauma types, and posttrauma spectrum disorders. ISMI, posttraumatic stress disorder, other posttrauma spectrum disorders, and cumulative trauma measures were administered to a sample of 399 mental health patients that included Arab (82%), Muslim (84%), and refugee (31%), as well as American patients (18%). Age in the sample ranged from 18 to 76 years (M = 39.66, SD = 11.45), with 53.5% males. Hierarchical multiple regression, t tests, and path analyses were conducted. Results indicated that ISMI predicted posttraumatic stress disorder and other posttrauma spectrum disorders after controlling for cumulative trauma. ISMI was associated with other chronic collective identity traumas. While Arab Americans, Muslims, and refugees had higher ISMI scores than other Americans, the elevated chronic trauma levels of these groups were significant predictors of these differences. The results provide evidence to support ISMI traumatology model. Implications of the results for treating victims of ISMI, especially Arab Americans, Muslims and refugees are discussed.