During an ACT intervention or piece of work, it can be valuable to administer a measure to assess a client’s level of perfectionism. This assessment can aid in the evaluation process and contribute to formulating an effective treatment plan. It helps identify excessively high standards and the tendency for overly critical self-evaluations, characterised by concerns about mistakes and uncertainty in one’s actions and beliefs.
One widely used measure for assessing perfectionism is the Frost multidimensional perfectionism scale (FMPS). The FMPS is available in two versions: a longer 35-item measure and a briefer 8-item measure. It has demonstrated good psychometric properties, ensuring its reliability and validity. Moreover, it is freely accessible for use.
The FMPS consists of four sub-scales that capture different dimensions of perfectionism:
1. Concern over mistakes and doubts about actions
2. Excessive concern with parents’ expectations and evaluation
3. Excessively high personal standards
4. Concern with precision, order, and organisation
By utilising the FMPS, therapists can gain a comprehensive understanding of a client’s perfectionistic tendencies and tailor their therapeutic approach accordingly.
The Frost multidimensional perfectionism scale (FMPS) is a 35 question self-report measure with four sub-scales of perfectionism:
- Concern over mistakes and doubts about actions
- Excessive concern with parents’ expectations and evaluation
- Excessively high personal standards
- Concern with precision, order and organisation
The Frost multidimensional perfectionism scale (FMPS) – brief is an 8 question self-report measure with two sub-scales of perfectionism:
- Striving
- Evaluative concerns
