Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS)

Abstract

The Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS), developed by Paul L. Hewitt and Gordon L. Flett, is a widely utilized 45-item self-report measure designed to assess the multifaceted nature of perfectionism across three distinct trait dimensions. These dimensions capture how perfectionistic tendencies manifest relative to the self, others, and perceived social expectations. The MPS serves as a foundational instrument in research examining the relationship between trait perfectionism and various indicators of psychopathology, including depression, anxiety, and stress. Detailed psychometric properties, including high internal consistency and evidence of validity, have been established across multiple studies, particularly in clinical and non-clinical samples.

Keywords

Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, MPS, self-oriented perfectionism, other-oriented perfectionism, socially prescribed perfectionism, psychopathology, psychological assessment, trait measure, Hewitt and Flett.

Authors

Paul L. Hewitt, Gordon L. Flett

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS) is to provide a comprehensive and psychometrically sound assessment of perfectionism as a multidimensional personality trait. Unlike earlier conceptualizations that treated perfectionism as a singular, monolithic characteristic, the MPS distinguishes between three separate, yet related, interpersonal and intrapersonal expressions of striving for flawlessness. This differentiation allows researchers and clinicians to identify specific vulnerability factors associated with different forms of perfectionism, particularly those linked to adverse psychological outcomes.

The scale was specifically developed to advance the understanding of how these distinct dimensions—Self-Oriented, Other-Oriented, and Socially Prescribed Perfectionism—relate differentially to psychological distress and psychopathology. By measuring these specific traits, the MPS facilitates targeted research into the etiology and treatment of conditions where maladaptive perfectionism is a central feature.

Construct

The MPS measures perfectionism based on a tripartite model proposed by Hewitt and Flett, conceptualizing it as a complex personality trait involving high standards and critical self-evaluations directed toward three distinct sources: the self, others, and the environment. The scale is composed of 45 items distributed equally across three 15-item subscales:

• Self-Oriented Perfectionism (SOP): This dimension reflects the internal setting of exceedingly high personal standards and the rigorous self-evaluation and self-criticism associated with failing to meet these standards. Individuals scoring high on SOP demand perfection from themselves.
• Other-Oriented Perfectionism (OOP): This dimension involves directing perfectionistic standards and expectations toward others. Individuals high in OOP expect flawlessness from those around them, are highly critical of others’ performance, and believe others should strive for perfection.
• Socially Prescribed Perfectionism (SPP): This dimension reflects the belief that significant others (e.g., family, peers, society) demand perfection from the individual, and that these others evaluate them critically. SPP is largely viewed as the most maladaptive dimension, often associated with feelings of helplessness, anxiety, and depression, as the perceived demands are external and often uncontrollable.

Validity

The validity of the MPS has been extensively investigated, supporting its use in measuring the hypothesized three-factor structure. Research has demonstrated strong evidence for the construct validity of the scale, showing that the three dimensions correlate uniquely with various psychological variables. For instance, studies have consistently found that Socially Prescribed Perfectionism (SPP) is strongly associated with measures of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation, indicating its predictive validity for maladaptive outcomes.

Detailed information concerning the development and validation of the MPS subscales is presented in Hewitt and Flett (1991) and Hewitt, Flett, Turnbull-Donovan, and Mikail (1991). The scale exhibits criterion-related validity through its differential associations with clinical outcomes, confirming that the distinction between the three forms of perfectionism is clinically meaningful. The technical manual, available from Multihealth Systems Inc., provides further comprehensive data on the scale’s validity across diverse populations.

Reliability

The MPS demonstrates high levels of internal reliability, indicating strong internal consistency within its subscales. The original psychometric studies by Hewitt & Flett (1991) reported the following Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for the subscales, confirming their robust reliability:

• Self-Oriented Perfectionism (SOP): Alpha = 0.89
• Socially Prescribed Perfectionism (SPP): Alpha = 0.86
• Other-Oriented Perfectionism (OOP): Alpha = 0.79

These reliability coefficients meet or exceed standard thresholds for research instruments, supporting the stability and consistency of the scores derived from the MPS. Subsequent studies across different cultures and clinical populations have generally replicated these high reliability estimates, further solidifying the scale’s psychometric foundation.

Factor Analysis

The development of the MPS was guided by exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses aimed at confirming the three-factor structure proposed by the authors (Hewitt & Flett, 1989, 1991). These analyses confirmed that the 45 items load distinctly onto the three theorized factors: Self-Oriented Perfectionism, Other-Oriented Perfectionism, and Socially Prescribed Perfectionism.

The structural integrity demonstrated through factor analysis supports the scale’s fundamental premise that perfectionism is not a unitary trait but a multidimensional construct. The three factors are correlated, but sufficiently distinct to warrant separate measurement, allowing researchers to isolate the unique contributions of each dimension to various psychological phenomena.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-Report Questionnaire (Trait Measure)

Format: 45 items administered using a 7-point Likert scale.

Language Available: English (Numerous translations have been validated in subsequent research, including Persian, Spanish, and others).

Population Group: General population, students, and clinical samples (e.g., psychiatric patients).

Age Group: Adolescents and Adults.

Population Details: Used extensively in research concerning personality, coping styles, and psychopathology.

Test Methodology: Respondents rate the extent to which they agree or disagree with each statement concerning personal characteristics and traits on a scale of 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 7 (Strongly Agree).

Keywords

Hewitt, Flett, psychometrics, personality assessment, self-criticism, demandingness, anxiety, depression, clinical psychology.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not provided in source content.

Affiliation Email addresses: Not provided in source content.

Correspondence Address: Correspondence is often directed to the authors’ institutional affiliations (e.g., University of British Columbia for P.L. Hewitt).

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The scale was initially developed in 1989, with major validation published in 1991. A Technical Manual is available from Multihealth Systems Inc. (MHS), suggesting that permissions and associated fees may be required for clinical or commercial use. However, the instrument has also been made available by the authors for research-only purposes. The original PDF for research purposes can be downloaded here: http://hewittlab.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2014/11/MPS-RESEARCH-ONLY.pdf.

Reference’s

• Flett, G. L., Hewitt, P. L., & Dyck, D. G. (1989). Perfectionism, neuroticism, and anxiety. Personality and individual Differences, 10; 731-735.
• Hewitt, P. L., & Flett, G. L. (1989). The Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale: Development and validation (abstract). Canadian Psychology, 30.339.
• Hewitt, P. L., & Flett, G. L. (1991). Perfectionism in the self and social contexts: Conceptualization, assessment, and association with psychopathology. Journal of personality and Social Psychology, 60, 456-470.
• Hewitt, P. L., Flett, G. L., Turnbull-Donovan, W., & Mikail, S. F. (1991). The Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale: Reliability, validity, and psychometric properties in psychiatric samples. Psychological Assessment, 3, 464–468.
• Flett, G. L., Hewitt, P. L., Endler, N. S., & Tassone, C. (1995). Perfectionism and components of state and trait anxiety. Current Psychology Development learning. Personality and Social, 13; 326-350.
• Hewitt, P. L., Flett, G. L., & Ediger, E. (1996). Perfectionism and depression: Longitudinal assessment of a specific vulnerability hypothesis. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 105, 276–280.
• Flett, G. L., & Hewitt, P. L. (Eds.). (2002). Perfectionism: Theory, research, and treatment. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
• Aminizadeh, Soheyla., Dolatshahi, Behrooz., Pourshahbaz, Abbas., Babapour, Bahareh., Yousefzadeh, Iman., Zamanshoar, Elham., and Eshaghi, Masoumeh. (2013). Psychometric Properties of Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS). Clinical Psyhology, 1(4); 205-209.

Items of the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS)

Listed below are a number of statements concerning personal characteristics and traits. Read each item and decide whether you agree or disagree and to what extent.

• If you strongly agree, circle 7;
• if you strongly disagree, circle 1;
• if you feel somewhere in between, circle any one of the numbers between 1 and 7.
• If you feel neutral and undecided the midpoint is 4.

1. When I am working on something, I cannot relax until it is perfect………………………………….. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

2. I am not likely to criticize someone for giving up too easily ……………………………………………….. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

3. It is not important that the people I am close to are successful …………………………………………. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

4. I seldom criticize my friends for accepting second best ………………………………………………………. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

5. I find it difficult to meet others’ expectations of me ……………………………………………………………… 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

6. One of my goals is to be perfect in everything I do ……………………………………………………………….. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

7. Everything that others do must be of top-notch quality………………………………………………………. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8. I never aim for perfection in my work ……………………………………………………………………………………… 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

9. Those around me readily accept that I can make mistakes too ………………………………………….. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

10. It doesn’t matter when someone close to me does not do their absolute best ……………….. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

11. The better I do, the better I am expected to do ………………………………………………………………………. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

12. I seldom feel the need to be perfect ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

13. Anything I do that is less than excellent will be seen as poor work by those around me ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

14. I strive to be as perfect as I can be ……………………………………………………………………………………………..

15. It is very important that I am perfect in everything I attempt …………………………………………….

16. I have high expectations for the people who are important to me …………………………………….

17. I strive to be the best at everything I do……………………………………………………………………………………

18. The people around me expect me to succeed at everything I do ………………………………………..

19. I do not have very high expectations for those around me ………………………………………………….

20. I demand nothing less than perfection from myself ………………………………………………………………

21. Others will like me even if I don’t excel at everything …………………………………………………………..

22. I can’t be bothered with people who won’t strive to better themselves …………………………..

23. It makes me uneasy to see an error in my work……………………………………………………………………..

24. I do not expect a lot from my friends…………………………………………………………………………………………

25. Success means that I work even harder to please others……………………………………………………..

26. If I ask someone to do something, I expect it to be done flawlessly …………………………………..

27. I cannot stand to see people close to me make mistakes ……………………………………………………..

28. I am perfectionistic in setting my goals …………………………………………………………………………………….

29. The people who matter to me should never let me down…………………………………………………….

30. Others think I am okay, even when I do not succeed ……………………………………………………………… 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

31. I feel that people are too demanding of me …………………………………………………………………………….. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

32. I must work to my full potential at all times …………………………………………………………………………… 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

33. Although they may not show it, other people get very upset with me when I slip up ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

34. I do not have to be the best at whatever I am doing ………………………………………………………………

35. My family expects me to be perfect ……………………………………………………………………………………………

36. I do not have very high goals for myself……………………………………………………………………………………

37. My parents rarely expected me to excel in all aspects of my life ………………………………………..

38. I respect people who are average ………………………………………………………………………………………………

39. People expect nothing less than perfection from me …………………………………………………………….

40. I set very high standards for myself …………………………………………………………………………………………..

41. People expect more from me than I am capable of giving ……………………………………………………

42. I must always be successful at school or work………………………………………………………………………..

43. It does not matter to me when a close friend does not try their hardest ………………………….

44. People around me think I am still competent even if I make a mistake ……………………………

45. I seldom expect others to excel at whatever they do …………………………………………………………….