Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale

What it measures

Measures six dimensions of perfectionism. Maladaptive perfectionism centres on Concern over Mistakes and Doubts about Actions; adaptive perfectionism is associated with high Personal Standards and Organisation. Widely used in research on anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and athletic performance.

Response format

Likert (1–5, strongly disagree to strongly agree)

Representative items

• If I do not do as well as other people, it means I am an inferior human being. (Concern over Mistakes)
• I tend to get behind in my work because I repeat things over and over. (Doubts about Actions)
• I have a high goal for myself. (Personal Standards)
• My parents set very high standards for me. (Parental Expectations)
• Organisation is very important to me. (Organisation)

Usage notes & scoring

Six subscale scores. Maladaptive perfectionism (Concern over Mistakes + Doubts about Actions) is the most clinically significant composite. No established clinical cut-offs. Freely available from Randy Frost. The Hewitt & Flett MPS measures self-oriented, other-oriented, and socially prescribed perfectionism as a complementary measure.

Recommended companion scales

Citation

Frost, R.O., Marten, P., Lahart, C., & Rosenblate, R. (1990). The dimensions of perfectionism. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 14(5), 449–468.

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