To be or not to be perfect in the workplace : an evaluation of a work stress intervention on perfectionism in a working population

Abstract

This study assessed the efficacy of a 10-week job stress intervention program (Achieving Balance in Life and Employment; ABLE) in reducing perfectionistic concerns, strain, and conflict, and examined the relationships between perfectionistic concerns and perfectionistic strivings with negative workplace outcomes (i.e., psychological strain, work-life conflict, work-spouse conflict, and work-parent conflict). Participants were 152 employees (74 in the intervention group, 78 in the control group) from 10 organizations. Perfectionistic concerns (at Time 1) significantly predicted strain (at Time 2), but did not predict the conflict variables (at Time 2) after controlling for conscientiousness and neuroticism (at Time 1). Perfectionistic concerns were more strongly related to strain and work-spouse conflict than were perfectionistic strivings. Participants in the ABLE program had significantly reductions in their perfectionistic concerns, strain, and the conflict variables compared to participants in the control group. The practical implications of these results and ideas for future research are discussed. Keywords: perfectionism, strain, work-life conflict, intervention