Treating perfectionism using internet-based cognitive behavior therapy : Comparing two types of treatment

• Introduction: Perfectionism is characterized by setting high standards and being concerned about performance, which can have a negative impact on interpersonal relationships and psychological wellbeing. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), administered in a face-to-face setting and via the Internet, has previously demonstrated promising effects with regard to symptoms of perfectionism and related problems, for example depression. However, no clinical trial has used an active comparator. In the current study, Internet-based CBT (iCBT) was compared to Internet-based Unified Protocol (iUP) for self-referred participants seeking treatment for perfectionism.Methods: In total, 138 participants were deemed eligible and randomized to receive two types of treatment via the Internet, iCBT and iUP. Eight modules over eight weeks were distributed, containing both psychoeducation and homework assignments. If needed, participants could also receive support on demand from three therapists. A number of self-report measures were administered prior to and after the treatment period. At the time of the conference, the results of both conditions will be analyzed using an intention-to-treat, mixed model-analysis, applying maximum likelihood estimation to account for missing data.Results: Results from the post-treatment assessment showed that half of the participants (52.9%) had opened all of the eight modules, with no difference between the conditions. For the main outcome measure, the Clinical Perfectionism Questionnaire, the within-group effect size Cohen’s d was 1.61 for iCBT and 1.83 for iUP. For the secondary outcome measures, effects ranged from d 0.33 to 0.67. At the time of the conference, additional results from two follow-up assessments, six- and 12-months, will also be presented.Conclusion: Perfectionism can lead to significant difficulties and sometimes warrant treatment. CBT has been shown to benefit those affected by helping them change inflexible standards, refute cognitive biases, experiment with more flexible behaviors, and basing one’s self-worth on more than performance. The current study replicates prior research findings that CBT for perfectionism can successfully be delivered via the Internet, which could help disseminate an effective treatment to those in need.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

perfectionism

ICBT

psykologi

Psychology

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

kon (ämneskategori)