Summary: Scientists are pioneering research into combating perfectionism in young people through artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Perfectionism (CBT-P). The alarming rise of perfectionism among the youth, characterized by the relentless pursuit of high standards and significant mental health risks, has prompted the exploration of innovative treatment methods.
A new pilot study not only evaluates the effectiveness of AI-supplemented CBT-P but also delves into its acceptability among young individuals, showcasing a positive response towards AI’s potential for accessible, stigma-free, and cost-effective intervention.
This research, complemented by a parental involvement study, marks a significant step towards developing tailored, effective treatments for early perfectionism, underscoring the importance of early intervention and the promising role of AI and parental guidance in therapeutic processes.
Key Facts:
- Rising Prevalence of Perfectionism: The increase in perfectionism among young people poses significant mental health challenges, necessitating early and effective intervention strategies.
- AI-Enhanced CBT-P: AI-supplemented Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Perfectionism shows promise in providing accessible, appealing, and effective treatment for young individuals struggling with perfectionism.
- Parental Involvement in Therapy: A complementary study investigates the feasibility of parents delivering CBT-P to their children, offering a novel approach to addressing childhood perfectionism through family engagement.
Source: Flinders University
The quest to find ideal therapy for perfectionism, a condition showing alarming growth among very young people, has moved online – with researchers believing that Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools could provide a better, more convenient solution, as well as harnessing parent delivery of interventions.
While the online delivery of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Perfectionism (CBT-P) provides effective interventions to reduce perfectionism and psychopathology, a new pilot study examined both the effectiveness and acceptability of an artificial intelligence-supplemented CBT-P intervention for young people with anxiety and depression.
Perfectionism – the relentless pursuit of impeccability, setting excessively high standards and an unwavering desire to achieve them – has become more prevalent in youth over recent decades, and Flinders University’s Professor Tracey Wade says new treatment methods that are appealing to young people with perfectionism are extremely important.
“It’s a cause for concern when we start to see perfectionism emerge in childhood,” says Professor Wade, a Cognitive Behaviour Therapy expert from Flinders University’s College of Education, Psychology and Social Work.
“It can become overwhelming and crippling, leading to self-criticism, stress, procrastination and even poor mental health. Therefore, it’s crucial to identify it early and introduce interventions that are effective.”
AI tools have the potential to provide strong guidance through a therapy program, but their effectiveness and likely acceptance by people needing the therapy has not been adequately tested.
“We asked young people about perceptions of AI and co-designed an intervention for perfectionism, and they stated they were interested in AI guidance, noting both benefits and concerns regarding AI, but were positive overall. They were most enthusiastic about the AI intervention’s ease of access, low cost, lack of stigma and benefits for individuals with social anxiety.”
The research – “A pilot study of the perceptions and acceptability of guidance using artificial intelligence in internet cognitive behaviour therapy for perfectionism in young people” by Sarah Egan, Catherine Johnson, Tracey Wade, Per Carlbring, Shravan Raghav and Roz Shafran – has been published in the March 2024 edition of Internet Interventions journal.
The researchers say the results of this study shows that a pilot trial of AI-guided intervention for perfectionism is now required.
To further support the in-depth study of childhood perfectionism, Flinders is leading a new study that will engage with both parents and children aged 7 to 12, and examine how perfectionism-related challenges impact their quality of life.
This study – being conducted by Tracey Wade and Maya Jabs in the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work at Flinders University, with researchers from Curtin University – will examine the feasibility and effectiveness of a new intervention where parents deliver cognitive behaviour therapy for perfectionism (GP-CBT-P) to their child, with the help of a guide.
It will focus on the Guided Parent-Delivered Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Perfectionism, a six-module program delivered by a caregiver in a playful way with the child in interactive learning activities, supported by a weekly online guidance session.
“Perfectionism is not a simple concept to define. It encompasses two dimensions: the pursuit of excessively high self-imposed goals, and feelings of inadequacy when these goals aren’t met,” says Ms Jabs.
“Both dimensions have been associated with psychological distress, including depression, anxiety, and even eating disorders. In the context of children and adolescents, perfectionism can lead to less social contact, increased fear and sadness, and difficulties in achieving academic goals. We aim to find the best ways to overcome that.”
Cognitive behavioural treatment for perfectionism (CBT-P) focuses on teaching individuals how to approach achievement without causing harm to their mental well-being. Multiple studies have confirmed the effectiveness of CBT-P in reducing perfectionism and its associated issues, such as depression, anxiety, and disordered eating.
About this AI and perfectionism research news
Author: David Sly
Source: Flinders University
Contact: David Sly – Flinders University
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: Open access.
“A pilot study of the perceptions and acceptability of guidance using artificial intelligence in internet cognitive behaviour therapy for perfectionism in young people” by Tracey Wade et al. Internet Interventions
Abstract
A pilot study of the perceptions and acceptability of guidance using artificial intelligence in internet cognitive behaviour therapy for perfectionism in young people
Perfectionism is a transdiagnostic process associated with a range of psychological disorders. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Perfectionism (CBT-P) has been demonstrated as efficacious across guided and unguided internet delivered interventions in reducing perfectionism and psychopathology.
The aim of this pilot study was to understand perceptions and acceptability of an artificial intelligence supplemented CBT-P intervention (AI-CBT-P) in young people with lived experience of anxiety and depression (n = 8; age range 19–29 years, M = 24 years, SD = 3.77; 50 % female, 38 % male, 12 % non-binary).
Young people reported that they were frequent users of artificial intelligence for study, work and general information, were positive about the intervention and using artificial intelligence for guidance in a self-help intervention, but also noted several concerns. Young people perceived numerous benefits to AI-CBT-P, including ease of access, low cost, lack of stigma and benefits for individuals with social anxiety.
Overall, young people appear to be interested in, and have a positive view of, AI-CBT-P. Further research is now required to examine the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention.
