Effects of a Single-Session Intervention Targeting Perfectionism in College Students

Abstract

Perfectionism is a well-established transdiagnostic factor that contributes to the maintenance and exacerbation of a wide range of psychopathology. Although effective, most treatments for perfectionism are inaccessible to the general population, and are time-, resource-, and cost-intensive. Online single-session interventions (SSIs) display promise in preventing and treating negative mental health symptoms; however, no studies have examined the effectiveness of an online SSI targeting perfectionism. To address this, the present study sought to evaluate a novel computerized, self-guided SSI. The two primary aims of the study were: 1) to assess the intervention’s acceptability, likability, and utility, and 2) to examine whether the intervention reduces perfectionistic attitudes, depression, anxiety, and stress in a college student population. At baseline, students at a liberal arts college (N=79) were randomized to receive a 40-minute perfectionism SSI or a stress-management control. Participants rated the perfectionism intervention as highly helpful, acceptable, and likable. The perfectionism intervention was associated with greater improvements in perfectionism, depression, anxiety, and stress; however, the differences in reductions between the groups were not statistically significant. Given the small sample size, the study was likely underpowered to detect differences between conditions. Future research with larger sample sizes, a less potent control group, and clinical populations is needed to test the effects of the intervention more extensively. Nevertheless, this study demonstrates that single-session perfectionism interventions hold promise and merit future investigation.

Keywords: Perfectionism, Single-Session Interventions, Online Interventions, College Students