Effectiveness of Self-compassion-based Counseling Program for improved Perfectionism Trait among a Sample of Academically Outstanding Female Students at High School Stage

Abstract

The study aimed to identify the effectiveness of a self-compassion-based counseling program in improving perfectionism trait among a sample of academically outstanding female high school students. A quasi-experimental approach with a pre-, post- and follow-up measurement methods was employed on two experimental and control groups, with (13) for the experimental group, and (13) for the experimental group. For the control group, the study tools included a translated Neff’s (2003) self-compassion scale, Al-Sulaiman’s (2016) perfectionism scale and a counseling program (developed by author). The results showed that there were statistically significant differences at  (0.05) value or less between average response ranks for the control and experimental groups, favoring the experimental group in the post-measurement of self-compassion (self-kindness, common humanity, excessive  self-identification, self-rule, and mental alertness), and in perfectionism dimensions (personal performance perception, zero-mistakes concern,  others’ expectations perception, appreciation for organization and time management appreciation, others’  criticism perception).  Additionally, there were significant differences at (0.05) or less between the pre- and post-measurements of the experimental group in self-compassion. The trait of perfectionism was in favor of dimensional measurement. The differences were not significantly significant between the post and sequential measurements in self-compassion and trait perfectionism.