A Psychometric Investigation of the Perfectionistic Self-Presentation Scale Using Bifactor Modeling: Evidence for the Unidimensional Structure of the Measure

Perfectionistic self-presentation (PSP) is a transdiagnostic risk factor typically assessed using the Perfectionistic Self-Presentation Scale (PSPS). The PSPS consists of three subscales, Self-Promotion, Nondisplay of Imperfection, and Nondisclosure of Imperfection. Overlap among these factors and inconsistent evidence for discriminant validity suggests a need to psychometrically evaluate the PSPS to determine the dimensionality of this measure. The current study used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in a sample of community adults (N = 419; M age = 39.9 years; 67.1% female) to examine the factor structure of the PSPS. Model fit was compared for one-factor, three-factor, and bifactor models. The bifactor model, comprising a general PSP factor and orthogonal Self-Promotion, Nondisplay, and Nondisclosure factors had the best overall model fit. The general PSP factor was reliable and well-represented by its indicators. Additionally, the general PSP factor was related to several forms of psychopathology and related constructs (i.e., social anxiety, depression, negative affect, body dissatisfaction), whereas specific PSP factors were not related to outcome variables. Finally, the general PSP factor explained a large amount of the variance in PSPS scores, suggesting the measure is unidimensional. Findings support treating the PSPS total score as a unidimensional measure of PSP in research and intervention efforts.