Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of the Scale of Perfectionism and Excellencism (SCOPE) for Brazilian Adults

Abstract

There is considerable discussion in the scientific literature about whether perfectionism is beneficial, harmful, or unnecessary. The Scale of Perfectionism and Excellencism (SCOPE) was developed to assess the pursuit of perfection as opposed to the pursuit of excellence. This study aimed to investigate the validity indicators of the internal, external, convergent, and discriminant structures, as well as the reliability of the SCOPE for Brazilian adults. Two cross-sectional studies with convenience samples were conducted. The results of the confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses in Study 1 (n = 1,814) indicated suitable fit indices for the scale (χ2 = 600.585, df = 208, p < .001, χ2 /df = 2.887, CFI = .984, TLI = .982, RMSEA = .059 (90 % CI [.056, .062])), suggesting a two-factor structure (perfectionism and excellencism). Low positive correlations were observed between perfectionism/excellencism and general psychiatric symptoms, and a low negative correlation between perfectionism and life satisfaction. Perfectionism was a negative predictor of life satisfaction, whereas excellencism was a positive predictor of both psychiatric symptoms and life satisfaction. Study 2 (n = 432) supports the convergent validity of perfectionism and discriminant validity of excellencism with Hewitt and Flett’s Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale. When controlling for perfectionism, excellencism remains positively associated with self-oriented perfectionism (SOP), but the correlation with socially prescribed perfectionism (SPP) disappears. Controlling for excellencism, the association between perfectionism and SOP and SPP remains significant, though somewhat smaller in magnitude. This study provides favorable evidence for using SCOPE among Brazilian adults and valuable insights into the constructs of excellencism and perfectionism.

Keywords

perfectionism

excellencism

psychometric properties

scale

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