Perfectionism, wellbeing, and university performance: A sample validation of the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS) in New Zealand

The Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS) is a self-report instrument which has been tested in several countries with mixed support. The current research examined the factor structure, construct validity, and reliability in a sample of university students in New Zealand (n = 1028). Our findings add support for a five factor structure with two recommended cross-loadings, adequate internal consistency, and strong measurement invariance between male and female students. Significant correlations were found between most FMPS sub scales, wellbeing, and semester GPA. Regression-based results indicated that several FMPS factors were predictors of wellbeing and semester GPA, respectively. An interaction effect was found between gender and the Parental Expectations subscale when predicting wellbeing. Overall, these results indicate that the FMPS is a reliable, valid instrument for New Zealand university students with a five-factor model which shows relevance to gender, wellbeing, and performance.