1. Flett g.L., Hewit p.L. Perfectionism and maladjustment: An overview of theoretical, definitional, and treatment issues

To our knowledge, this special issue on the cognitive and treatment

aspects of perfectionism is the first special issue on perfectionism to ever

appear in a journal. It is most fitting that this special issue appears in

the Journal of Rational-Emotive and Cognitive-Behavior Therapy given

the extensive contributions of Albert Ellis to our understanding of

dysfunctional perfectionism (see Ellis, 1957, 1962, 2002). Ellis identified

irrational beliefs involving perfectionism (i.e., I must be perfect in order

to be worthwhile) as playing a significant role in a wide variety of personal adjustment problems, including anxiety and depression, as well as

in interpersonal problems (see Ellis, 2002). Over the years, research and

theory on REBT has emphasized the inextricable link between perfectionism and a number of core themes, including the irrational fear of

failure, the role of conditional acceptance of the self and others in psychological problems, the pitfalls of thinking that a person must achieve

at an exceptionally high level in order to be worthy of affection and

respect, and, in general, the irrational pursuit of extreme, unrealistic

goals.

http://hewittlab.psych.ubc.ca/pdfs/2004fh.pdf

2. O'Connor r.C. The relations between perfectionism and suicidality: a systematic review

Since the 1980s, there has been a 300 percent increase in the number of

published papers on perfectionism. Given the inconsistent findings in the literature, this systematic review examines, for the first time, the nature of the relationship between perfectionism and suicidality. To this end, the three main psychological and medical databases (PsychInfo 1887–May 2006, Medline 1966–May 2006

and Web of Knowledge 1981–May 2006) were searched. Twenty nine papers of

perfectionism and suicidality were found. There is considerable evidence that selfcritical evaluative concerns perfectionism (i.e., socially prescribed perfectionism,

self-criticism, concern about mistakes, and doubts about action) is correlated with

suicidality. The methodological implications for future research are examined. In

addition, the clinical implications for treatment and how these findings relate to

the current conceptual debate on the nature of perfectionism are discussed.

http://www.psychology.stir.ac.uk/documents/profile-documents/rory-o-connor/SLTB698-714.pdf

3. Hamachek d.E. Psychodynamics of normal and neurotic perfectionism

Discusses the characteristics, antecedents, and behavioral symptoms of normal and neurotic perfectionism. Normal perfectionists set realistic standards for themselves, derive pleasure from their painstaking labors, and are capable of choosing to be less precise in certain situations. Neurotic perfectionists, on the other hand, demand of themselves a usually unattainable level of performance, experience their efforts as unsatisfactory, and are unable to relax their standards. The development of neurotic perfectionism tends to occur in 1 of 2 kinds of emotive environments: (a) nonapproval or inconsistent approval in which parents fail to establish explicit performance standards for the child, or (b) parental expressions of conditional positive approval far exceed those of unconditional positive approval. Normal perfectionism tends to develop through either positive modeling (the close identification of the child with an emotionally important person) or negative modeling (the child rejects the behavior of an emotionally important person). Some symptoms describe both normal and neurotic perfectionists, but neurotic perfectionists experience them with greater intensity and for a longer duration. Four specific goals are stated which have proven useful in helping clients to change their neurotic perfectionism. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)

http://psycnet.apa.org/?&fa=main.doiLanding&uid=1979-08598-001

4. Rich Gilman, Jeffrey S. Ashby «Multidimensional perfectionism in a sample of middle school students: An exploratory investigation» Psychology in the Schools Volume 40, Issue 6, pages 677–689, November 2003

Abstract

In this exploratory study, 185 middle school students were administered the Almost Perfect Scale-Revised and the Behavioral Assessment System for Children-Self Report. Self-reported grade-point average was also obtained. Students who established high personal standards but nonetheless recognize their limitations (adaptive perfectionists) reported significantly higher (i.e., more positive) scores on a number of academic, intrapersonal, and interpersonal variables. However, the perceived inability for some students to consistently meet their high standards (maladaptive perfectionists) was significantly and negatively related to perceptions of school and family relationships, and greater emotional distress. Implications of these findings and future research and clinical suggestions are provided. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 40: 677–689, 2003.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pits.10125/abstract

5. Danielle A. Einstein, Peter F. Lovibond, Jonathan E. Gaston

   «Relationship between Perfectionism and Emotional Symptoms in an Adolescent Sample»

   Australian Journal of Psychology Volume 52, Issue 2, pages 89–93, August 2000

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1080/00049530008255373/abstract

Abstract

Final-year high school students completed the Multidimensional Perfectionism scale and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS) 10 weeks (n = 673) and again 10 days (n = 505) before a major set of examinations. Symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress were elevated on both test occasions, with more than 20% of the sample falling into the severe range. Self-oriented perfectionism was not strongly related to emotional symptoms. In contrast, socially prescribed perfectionism was positively related to depression and anxiety. Students whose parents were bom overseas reported higher levels of socially

6. . Dale Dorsey «Three Arguments for Perfectionism» Noûs Volume 44, Issue 1, pages 59–79, March 2010

Abstract

Perfectionism, or the claim that human well-being consists in the development and exercise of one's natural or essential capacities, is in growth mode. With its long and distinguished historical pedigree, perfectionism has emerged as a powerful antedote to what are perceived as significant problems with desiderative and hedonist accounts of well-being. However, perfectionism is one among many views that deny the influence of our desires, or that cut the link between well-being and a raw appeal to sensory pleasure. Other views include, for instance, the “objective list” view,¹ the so-called “restricted achievement” view,² and various hybrid views that combine an appeal to desire or pleasure with an objective standard of evaluation of those desires or pleasures.

In this paper, I attempt to deflate three important arguments for perfectionism in contrast with its competitors. Each of these arguments has appeared, in some form or other, in the historical record. Some have been given sophisticated and compelling restatements with the benefit of our contemporary conceptual apparatus.³ Unfortunately, none have the power to support the claim that the good life is one that develops an agent's natural or essential capacities. And though I will focus only on three here, the failure of these arguments suggests general defects in a perfectionist view, and should be widely worrisome.

The paper will be organized as follows. Section 1 will provide a brief description of perfectionism in general. In §2, I discuss an important argument for perfectionism, given by Thomas Hurka, but also reflected in (some interpretations of) Aristotle: the essence argument. The second is found in the writings of Kant, T. H. Green, and is developed in its recent formulation by David Brink. This is the agency argument. Finally, I will discuss an argument that all perfectionists share, the intuitive argument: the argument that perfectionism, as opposed to its rivals, better conforms to our overall judgments of the goodness of lives. I argue that the essence and agency arguments do no independent work for perfectionism, but totally rely on the implicit assumption of the success of the intuitive argument. This result is untenable for the final argument. The intuitive argument cannot support perfectionism on its own. Or so I shall argue.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1468-0068.2009.00731.x/full

7. Michael Philp, Sarah Egan, Robert Kane «Perfectionism, over commitment to work, and burnout in employees seeking workplace counselling»