The short form of the revised almost perfect scale

J Pers Assess. 2014;96(3):368-79. doi: 10.1080/00223891.2013.838172. Epub 2013 Oct 3.

Abstract

We created a shorter and more refined item set from the Almost Perfect Scale-Revised (APS-R; Slaney, Mobley, Trippi, Ashby, & Johnson, 1996; Slaney, Rice, Mobley, Trippi, & Ashby, 2001) to measure 2 major dimensions of perfectionism: standards (high performance expectations) and discrepancy (self-critical performance evaluations). In Study 1, after testing the internal structure of the measure (N = 749), a subset of the current APS-R items was derived (Short Almost Perfect Scale [SAPS]) that possessed good psychometric features, such as strong item-factor loadings, score reliability, measurement invariance between women and men, and criterion-related validity through associations with neuroticism, conscientiousness, academic performance, and depression. Controlling for neuroticism and conscientiousness, factor mixture modeling supported a 2-factor, 3-class model of perfectionism, and results were consistent with labeling the classes as nonperfectionists and adaptive and maladaptive perfectionists. Measurement results were cross-validated in a separate sample (N = 335). Study 2 also provided substantial evidence for the convergent, discriminant, and criterion-related validity of SAPS scores. Both studies supported the SAPS as a brief and psychometrically strong measure of major perfectionism factors and classes of perfectionists.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anxiety Disorders / classification
  • Conscience
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neuropsychological Tests / standards*
  • Neuroticism
  • Personality / classification*
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Psychometrics / instrumentation*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Young Adult