Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Versus Pure Cognitive Behavioural Self-Help for Perfectionism: a Pilot Randomised Study
Mindfulness October 13, 2017 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-017-0817-8 (opens in new tab) via Semantic Scholar
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA pilot study compared mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) tailored for perfectionism with a cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) self-help guide for university students struggling with perfectionism. Post-intervention, MBCT participants (n=28) showed lower perfectionism and stress than self-help participants (n=32). MBCT also led to greater improvements in unhelpful beliefs about emotions, rumination, mindfulness, self-compassion, and decentering. At 10-week follow-up, MBCT maintained effects and showed superior outcomes for perfectionism and daily impairment. Changes in self-compassion mediated improvements in clinical perfectionism, and more mindfulness practice was linked to greater self-compassion gains. The authors conclude MBCT is promising but requires replication with a larger sample.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 60 |
| Population | University students experiencing difficulties due to perfectionism |
| Duration | 8-week intervention, 10-week follow-up |
| Keywords | Psychology Medicine |
| Key finding | MBCT tailored for perfectionism reduced perfectionism and stress more than CBT self-help at post-intervention and 10-week follow-up, with self-compassion mediating improvements in clinical perfectionism. |
Abstract
This pilot study compared mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) with a self-help guide based on cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for university students experiencing difficulties due to perfectionism. Participants were randomised to an MBCT intervention specifically tailored for perfectionism or pure CBT self-help. Questionnaires were completed at baseline, 8 weeks later (corresponding to the end of MBCT) and at 10-week follow-up. Post-intervention intention-to-treat (ITT) analyses identified that MBCT participants (n = 28) had significantly lower levels of perfectionism and stress than self-help participants (n = 32). There was significant MBCT superiority for changes in unhelpful beliefs about emotions, rumination, mindfulness, self-compassion and decentering. At 10-week follow-up, effects were maintained in the MBCT group, and analyses showed superior MBCT outcomes for perfectionism and daily impairment caused by perfectionism. Pre-post changes in self-compassion significantly mediated the group differences in pre-post changes in clinical perfectionism. Greater frequency of mindfulness practice was associated with larger improvements in self-compassion. MBCT is a promising intervention for perfectionist students, which may result in larger improvements than pure CBT self-help. The findings require replication with a larger sample.