Development and initial validation of the Performance Perfectionism Scale for Sport (PPS-S)

Valid and reliable instruments are required to appropriately study perfectionism. With this in mind, three studies are presented that describe the development and initial validation of a new instrument designed to measure multidimensional performance perfectionism for use in sport (Performance Perfectionism Scale–Sport [PPS-S]). The instrument is based on Hewitt and Flett’s (1991) model of perfectionism and includes self-oriented, socially prescribed, and other-oriented performance perfectionism. These dimensions encapsulate the features of Hewitt and Flett’s dimensions but are focused on athletic performance rather than life generally. The three studies outline item generation and refinement, exploratory, confirmatory, and exploratory-confirmatory examination of factor structure, and initial assessment of construct validity in multiple samples of adolescent and young adult athletes. Findings suggest that the PPS-S is likely to be a reliable and valid measure of performance perfectionism in youth sport. As validation continues, we expect the instrument to have wider applicability for use in adults and other performance contexts (e.g., education and work)

Charge densities from high-resolution synchrotron X-ray diffraction experiments

The combination of intense X-ray sources, especially synchrotron radiation, with area-detector technology has accomplished an enormous advance in the experimental conditions available for charge-density analysis by single-crystal high- resolution X-ray diffraction. Such experiments can now be carried out in a time measured in hours rather than weeks. Some features of these experiments are examined and preliminary results are reported for charge-density studies of 2-hydroxy-5- nitrobenzaldehyde N-cyclohexylimine (1), octakis(m- tolylthio)naphthalene (2), and 7-fluoro-4-styrylcoumarin (3). Weak interactions in crystals of (1) and (3) are found to have similar charge-density characteristics. Cages in the crystal lattice of (2) have a complex charge distribution