Multidimensional Perfectionism and Obsessive Compulsive Behaviors

This study examined the relationship between adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism and obsessive-compulsive behaviors. One hundred and forty-four undergraduate psychology students completed a measure of multidimensional perfectionism and two measures of obsessive-compulsive behaviors. The authors found that maladaptive perfectionists engaged in more doubting and slowness behaviors than did adaptive perfectionists. Adaptive perfectionists had significantly lower scores on the Slowness subscale than either maladaptive perfectionists or nonperfectionists. Implications for college counselors are discussed.