UBC comes up with the perfect study

If you want something done right, you need to do it yourself. If you want it done perfectly, get a perfectionist.

Researchers at the University of B.C. are looking for those who identify as perfectionists to undergo a 12-week study to determine whether a newly developed type of treatment is effective.

Perfectionism is defined as seeing yourself as flawed or defective and attempting to resolve those perceptions by trying to be or presenting oneself as perfect. It goes beyond the usual goal-setting or aiming for improvement; researchers say perfectionism involves “self-related cognitive and self-dialogue elements” that lead to psychological distress, dysfunction or disorders.

“It is not the same as being conscientious, achievement striving or striving for excellence, which are viewed as healthy traits,” said UBC psychology professor Paul Hewitt.

“Rather, perfectionism is about correcting a perceived sense of being not good enough by being or appearing to be perfect.”

Hewitt and his team have spent the last 25 years developing individual and group treatments that focus on the underlying issues prompting perfectionism, including prior life experiences and influential relationships, as well as interpersonal issues.

“The current research is the second treatment study we have carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness and efficacy of the treatment,” said Hewitt. “We are hoping to determine whether the treatment developed by our team is effective in comparison to another form of psychological treatment.”

Those interested should contact the Hewitt Lab at 604822-0932 or online at hewittlab.psych.ubc.ca. Eligible participants will be invited for an interview followed by an initial clinical assessment.