The present study aimed to adapt and validate a Croatian ultra-brief version of the Big Three Perfectionism Scale – short form (BTPS-SF) for use in time-limited research settings and to reduce participant burden in large-scale surveys. Participants were 1337 young women (ages 18–21; M = 19.8) from all Croatian counties, who completed an online questionnaire including the BTPS-SF (subscales: Rigid Perfectionism, Self-Critical Perfectionism, and Narcissistic Perfectionism), along with measures of obsessive–compulsive symptoms (OCIR) and disordered eating behaviors (EAT-26, DEAS-s, DOS). Exploratory factor analysis confirmed the original three-factor structure but indicated item reduction due to crossloadings and low factor loadings, resulting in a nine-item ultra-brief version (U-B BTPS) with three items per subscale. Confirmatory factor analysis supported this three-factor solution, showing high factor loadings and very good model fit indices. The U-B BTPS and its subscales demonstrated strong internal consistency, while convergent validity was supported through significant correlations with related constructs (obsessive–compulsive and eating disorder measures) in the expected directions. Overall, the U-B BTPS provides a reliable and psychometrically sound tool for assessing perfectionism among young women in Croatia, offering an efficient measure particularly well suited for large-scale surveys and studies with limited assessment time.
