Psychometric Properties of the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale of Hewitt in a Dutch-Speaking Sample: Associations With the Big Five Personality Traits

We administered the Dutch Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale of Hewitt and Flett (1991, 2004) in a large student sample (N = 959) and performed a confirmatory factor analysis to test the factorial structure proposed by the original authors. The existence of a method factor referring to the negatively keyed items in the questionnaire was investigated by including it in the tested models. Next, we investigated how the 3 perfectionism dimensions are associated with the Five-factor model (FFM) of personality. The 3-factor structure originally observed by the authors was confirmed, at least when a method factor that refers to the negatively keyed items was included in the model. Self-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism were both distinguished by low extraversion and low emotional stability. Self-oriented perfectionism's positive relationship with both conscientiousness and openness to experience differentiated the 2 perfectionism dimensions from each other. Other-oriented perfectionism was not well-characterized by the Big Five personality traits.     

Living in the Interface so as Not to Be Trapped Within Fragmentary Worlds

In this autobiographical sketch, I describe the influences that contributed to my ideas in psychoanalysis as well as the implications that the modular-transformational model of the organization of the psyche has for psychopathology and for treatment. I examine subtypes of depression and of pathological mourning, and how they require specific interventions. I review what type of needs (attachment, narcissistic, protection, psychobiological regulation, erotic) each participant satisfies for the other in the analytic relationship, as well as the meetings and clashes between the needs and wishes of the members of the dyad. I differentiate between attachment and intimacy and the various ways each subject feels intimacy is achieved. I discuss the need to deconstruct the psychopathological categories and replace them with configurations that combine different elements.