An RCT on Mindful Compassion for Perfectionism has been published. Mindful Compassion for Perfectionism is a recently developed group format for those struggling with perfectionism. We previously tested its feasibility in two cases series and then designed a randomized controlled trial (RCT).
Mindful Compassion for Perfectionism (MCP) is an 8-week group intervention that integrates Compassion Focused Therapy and Dynamic Relational Therapy. During the sessions, a specific psychoeducation on perfectionism is presented and numerous experiential practices are conducted.
Seventy-two post-graduate 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. The picture shows the flow diagram of the RCT design.
No drop-outs 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 (partial η2 ranging between .565 and .591). In-person MCP indicated a greater reduction of perfectionistic cognitions and psychosocial distress and a greater increase of group functioning and self-soothing than online MCP (partial η2 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. A new RCT on Mindful Compassion for Perfectionism is an important step.
Further research should explore the efficacy of MCP in respect to other evidence-based treatments. Moreover, the brief format of MCP and its specific focus on experiential practices may support the possibility of including it in modular or stepped-care protocols for those struggling with perfectionism.
Cheli, S., Cavalletti, V., Goldzweig, G., Bui, S., Petrocchi. N., Flett, G., & Hewitt, P. (2024). 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. https://doi.org/10.1037/int0000349