A three-arm randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of mindful compassion for perfectionism in reducing perfectionistic cognitions
Cheli, Simone Cavalletti, Veronica Goldzweig, Gil Bui, Sara Petrocchi, Nicola
Flett, Gordon L. Hewitt, Paul L.
Cheli, Simone
Cavalletti, Veronica
Goldzweig, Gil
Bui, Sara
Flett, Gordon L.
Hewitt, Paul L.
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Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of mindful compassion for perfectionism (MCP). MCP is an 8-week group intervention that integrates compassion-focused therapy and dynamic relational therapy and has been previously pilot-tested in a few case series. Seventy-two postgraduate students with clinically high perfectionistic traits were randomly assigned either to a control group (wait-list) or two different formats of MCP (online or in-person). Primary outcomes were feasibility (safety, completion, adherence) of MCP and change in perfectionistic cognitions between active treatments and control group. Secondary analyses explored pre–post changes and differences between the two active groups in perfectionistic cognitions, psychosocial distress, group functioning, and self-soothing. No dropouts or unwanted adverse events were reported, 6.25% of participants missed a single session and 8.33% were excluded from the study for having missed more than one. MCP treatments—both individually and as a unique group—showed a greater reduction of perfectionistic cognitions and psychosocial distress than wait-list (ηp² ranging between .565 and .591). In-person MCP indicated a greater reduction of perfectionistic cognitions and psychosocial distress and a greater increase in group functioning and self-soothing than online MCP (ηp² ranging between .157 and .394). These findings suggest the feasibility and efficacy of MCP in reducing perfectionistic cognitions and psychosocial distress. The in-person format is seemingly more effective than the online format. Further research is needed to confirm these results.
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Date
2024
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American Psychological Association
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Keywords
Mindful compassion
Citation
Cheli, Simone, Veronica Cavalletti, Gil Goldzweig, Sara Bui, Nicola Petrocchi, Gordon L. Flett, and Paul L. Hewitt. “A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Feasibility of Mindful Compassion for Perfectionism in Reducing Perfectionistic Cognitions.” Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, No Pagination Specified-No Pagination Specified