Self-critical perfectionism and lower mindfulness and self-compassion predict anxious and depressive symptoms over two years.
Ryan Tobin, David M Dunkley
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33259957Actively Recruiting
Phase Not Applicable
Age: 18Years - 65Years
All Genders
ID06625151
Perfectionism and Daily Stress, Coping, and Well-Being: Testing Two Personalized Feedback Interventions in University Students
Led by McGill University · Updated on 2025-09-23
200
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are investigating how self-critical perfectionism affects psychological well-being, focusing on depression, anxiety, and daily coping and emotion regulation processes in university students. This study builds on previous findings showing that perfectionism can trigger negative moods and hinder positive emotions. The study tests two feedback interventions designed to provide personalized insights based on daily diary data, aiming to help participants better understand and manage their mood and coping strategies. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups: a waitlist control, a group receiving the Perfectionism and Coping Processes Model Explanatory Feedback Intervention (PCPM-EFI), a group receiving the Perfectionism and Emotion Regulation Processes Model Explanatory Feedback Intervention (PERPM-EFI), or a group receiving both interventions combined. Each feedback intervention is delivered in a single online session via videoconferencing lasting 45-60 minutes, with the combined session lasting 90-120 minutes. The interventions provide individualized feedback on daily patterns of stress, coping, and emotion regulation to identify triggers and strengths. During the study, participants complete baseline questionnaires, then daily online diaries for seven consecutive days recording mood, stress, coping, and emotion regulation. Follow-up assessments occur at two and four weeks after baseline, including standardized measures of empowerment, depressive and anxious symptoms, coping self-efficacy, mindfulness, and self-compassion. Feedback sessions are delivered remotely and recorded for quality review. After the study, participants in control or single intervention groups are offered additional feedback sessions. The primary outcome is increased empowerment, with secondary outcomes including symptom reduction and improved coping skills.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Perfectionism and Daily Coping and Emotion Regulation Processes: A Trial of Two Explanatory Feedback Interventions
Who Can Participate
Age: 18Years - 65Years
All Genders
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- University students aged 18 to 65
- Scoring 0.5 standard deviation above average on at least two of four self-critical perfectionism measures
You will not qualify if you...
- Diagnosed with depression or anxiety disorders without current mental health care
- Failure to complete baseline measures or seven days of daily diary entries
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
1
2
3
Your Study Journey
Screening
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (online)
Baseline Assessment and Daily Diary
Duration - 1 week
Participants complete online baseline questionnaires assessing personality and well-being, followed by daily online questionnaires completed each evening for seven consecutive days.
7 daily online diary entries completed at home
Feedback Intervention
Duration - 1 session lasting 45-120 minutes
Participants in feedback groups receive personalized explanatory feedback sessions delivered remotely via videoconferencing lasting 45-60 minutes for single interventions or 90-120 minutes for combined interventions. Participants provide feedback on the intervention immediately after the session.
1 online feedback session via Zoom
Follow-up Assessments
Duration - 4 weeks from baseline
Participants complete online follow-up questionnaires at two weeks and four weeks after baseline to assess changes in empowerment, coping, emotion regulation, and symptom outcomes.
3 online assessment time points (baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
McGill University
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Actively Recruiting
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Research Team
D
David Dunkley, Ph.D.
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
4
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Published Research Related To This Trial
Self-critical perfectionism, experiential avoidance, and depressive and anxious symptoms over two years: A three-wave longitudinal study.
Molly Moroz, David M Dunkley
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30466031Telling perfectionists about their perfectionism: Effects of providing feedback on emotional reactivity and psychological symptoms.
Mirela A Aldea, Kenneth G Rice, Barbara Gormley...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20933221Daily Stress, Coping, and Negative and Positive Affect in Depression: Complex Trigger and Maintenance Patterns.
David M Dunkley, Maxim Lewkowski, Ihno A Lee...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28390498Self-critical perfectionism and daily affect: dispositional and situational influences on stress and coping.
David M Dunkley, David C Zuroff, Kirk R Blankstein
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12518982Perfectionism, neuroticism, and daily stress reactivity and coping effectiveness 6 months and 3 years later.
David M Dunkley, Tobey Mandel, Denise Ma
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25111703Empowering self-critical perfectionistic students: A waitlist controlled feasibility trial of an explanatory feedback intervention on daily coping processes.
David M Dunkley, Alexandra Richard, Ryan Tobin...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37384489Advancing complex explanatory conceptualizations of daily negative and positive affect: trigger and maintenance coping action patterns.
David M Dunkley, Denise Ma, Ihno A Lee...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24447060