The Role of Perfectionism in Relation to an Intervention to Reduce Anxious and Depressive Symptoms in Children

Research has demonstrated an association between perfectionism and depressive and anxious symptoms in children. We examined
whether a school-based program targeting anxious and depressive symptoms would reduce perfectionism, and whether perfectionism
would interfere with intervention outcomes. The participants were 78 school-age children identified as at-risk for anxiety
and/or depression. At-risk children took part in a randomized controlled trial of a school-based intervention program. Levels
of perfectionism, depression, and anxiety were assessed at pre-treatment (Time 1) and again at post-treatment (Time 2) after
participating in either a cognitive behavioral group or a structured activity group. Participation in either group was associated
with significant reductions in overall levels of self-oriented perfectionism, anxious symptoms, and depressive symptoms. Supplementary
analyses indicated that pre-treatment self-oriented perfectionism influenced post-treatment depression scores, suggesting
that perfectionism interferes with treatment outcome. Perfectionism in children appeared amenable to group-based intervention,
and identifying perfectionism may be important for treating children with depressive symptoms.