Perfectionism in a Transdiagnostic Context: An Investigation of the Criterion Validity of the Almost Perfect Scale-Revised

Despite recent claims that perfectionism is a transdiagnostic process, few studies have directly tested this hypothesis. We investigated the relationship between perfectionism measured by the Almost Perfect Scale-Revised (APS-R) and the Axis I psychopathology (affective and anxiety disorders) using a transdiagnostic approach. Adult participants (N = 450, 78% females, Mage = 33 years) completed a series of online self-report measures of perfectionism, anxiety, and depression for this cross-sectional study. The results support a linear relationship between the Discrepancy subscale of APS-R and anxiety/affective psychopathology, while a non-linear relationship appeared between the High Standards subscale of APS-R and anxiety/affective psychopathology. Overall, we provided additional evidence for the transdiagnostic nature of perfectionism, as higher levels of perfectionistic concerns appear to be associated with higher number of clinical symptoms in multiple domains. The possible implications of the study are discussed.