The Impact of Perfectionism and Academic Burnout among University Students: The Role of Social Support
- 1. PhD Scholar, Department of Psychology, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan.
- 2. Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan.
Description
With an emphasis on the role of social support, the current study attempts to investigate the relationship between university student’s academic burnout and perfectionism. High personal standards and self-criticism are main characteristics of perfectionism, have been linked to increased academic stress and burnout, which negatively impact students' mental health and academic performance. Social support, including emotional, informational, and academic assistance from peers, family, and faculty, is proposed as a protective buffer against the harmful effects of perfectionism. The research uses a cross-sectional survey design, with data collected from 300 university students through self-report questionnaires measuring the levels of perfectionism, academic burnout, and perceived social support. Correlation, t-test, and regression were used to analyze the data. The study aims to identify whether social support mitigates the relationship between perfectionism and burnout, offering insights into how universities can enhance student well-being. Findings from this research indicate that perfectionism is positively correlated with academic burnout, whereas social support is negatively correlated with perfectionism and academic burnout. Moreover, Females scored a higher level in perfectionism and its domains as compared to the male students. Results also indicate that perfectionism and social support are significantly predictive of academic burnout. Findings from this research could help to form interventions that promote adaptive perfectionism and strengthen support networks, ultimately reducing burnout and fostering a healthier academic environment.
Files
9+The+Impact+of+Perfectionism+-+Shama+Asim.pdf
Files
(296.0 kB)
| Name | Size | Download all |
|---|---|---|
|
md5:355c0028de46bf155c23e8f56c57b1bb
|
296.0 kB | Preview Download |
Additional details
Identifiers
Related works
- Has metadata
- Journal article: 10.63062/trt/SG25.098 (DOI)
Dates
- Available
-
2025-06-30
References
- Bieling, P. J., Israeli, A. L., & Antony, M. M. (2004). Is perfectionism good, bad, or both? Examining models of the perfectionism construct. Personality and Individual Differences, 36(6), 1373 – 1385. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0191-8869(03)00235-6
- Bretland, R. J. & Thorsteinsson, E. B. (2015). Reducing workplace burnout: the relative benefits of cardiovascular and resistance exercise. Peer J, 3(891). http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.891
- Cano-García, F. J., Padilla-Muñoz, E. M., & Carrasco-Ortiz, M. A. (2005). Personality and contextual variables in teacher burnout. Personality and Individual Differences, 38(4), 929–940. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2004.06.018
- Chang, E., Seong, H., & Lee, S. M. (2020). Exploring the relationship between perfectionism and academic burnout through achievement goals: a mediation model. Asia Pacific Education Review, 2, 409 – 422. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12564-020-09633-1
- Cheung, P., & Li, C. (2019). Physical activity and mental toughness as antecedents of academic burnout among school students: a latent profile approach. Environmental Research and Public Health, 16. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16112024
- Cobb, S. (1987). Social support as a moderator of life stress. Psychosomatic Medicine, 38(5), 300–314. https://journals.lww.com/bsam/abstract/1976/09000/social_support_as_a_moderator_of_life_stress.3.aspx
- Cowie, M. E., Nealis, L. J., Sherry, S. B., Hewitt, P. L., & Flett, G. L. (2018). Perfectionism and academic difficulties in graduate students: Testing incremental prediction and gender moderation. Personality and Individual Differences, 123, 223 – 228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2017.11.027
- Curran, T., & Hill, A. P. (2019). Perfectionism is increasing over time: A meta-analysis of birth cohort differences from 1989 to 2016. Psychological Bulletin, 145(4), 410 429. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/bul0000138
- Cutrona, C. E., & Suhr, J. A. (1992). Controllability of stressful events and satisfaction with spouse support behaviors. Communication Research, 19(2), 154–174. https://doi.org/10.1177/009365092019002002
- Deniz, K. Z., Cam, Z., & Kurnaz, A. (2014). School burnout: testing a structural equation model based on perceived social support, perfectionism, and stress variables. Education and Science, 39(173), 310 – 325. https://educationandscience.ted.org.tr/article/view/1282
- Flett, G. L., & Hewitt, P. L. (2005). The perils of perfectionism in sports and exercise. Current directions in psychological science, 14(1), 14-18. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0963-7214.2005.00326.x
- Fredenberger, H. J., (1974). Staff burn-out. Journal of Social Issues, 30, 159–165. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4560.1974.tb00706.x
- Friedman, I. A. (2000). Burnout in teachers: Shattered dreams of impeccable professional performance. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 56(5), 595–606. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-4679(200005)56:5%3C595::AID-JCLP2%3E3.0.CO;2-Q
- Frost, R. O., Marten, P. A., Lahart, C. M., & Rosenblate, R. (1990). The dimensions of perfectionism. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 14(5), 449–468. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01172967
- Geranmayepour, S., & Besharat, M. A. (2010). Perfectionism and mental health. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 5, 643-647. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2010.07.158
- Halbesleben, J. R. B. (2010). A meta-analysis of work engagement: Relationships with burnout, demands, resources, and consequences. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 25(6), 559–580.
- Hewitt, P. L., & Hallaett, C. (1995). Perfectionism and stress: Vulnerability to psychological distress. Perfectionism: Theory, research, and treatment, 65–86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.12.328
- Hill, A. H., Curran, T. (2016). Multidimensional perfectionism and burnout: A meta-analysis. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 20(3), 269 – 288. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1088868315596286
- Jacobs, S. R., & Dodd, D. K. (2003). Student burnout as a function of personality, social support, and workload. Journal of College Student Development, 44(3), 291–303. https://doi.org/10.1353/csd.2003.0028
- Karimi, Y., Bashirpur, M., Khabbaz, M., & Hedayati, A. A. (2014). Comparison between perfectionism and social support dimensions and academic burnout in students. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 159, 57-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.12.328
- Kim, H., & Stoner, M. (2008). Burnout and turnover intention among social workers: Effects of role stress, job autonomy and social support. Administration in Social Work, 32(3), 5–25. https://doi.org/10.1080/03643100801922357
- Kobasa, S.C; and paccetti, M.C., (1988). Personality and social resources in stress resistance. Journal of personality and social psychology. 4d839- 85. https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.45.4.839
- Kyeong, S., & Cho, H. (2023). Perfectionism and academic burnout: The mediating role of emotion regulation. Journal of Educational Psychology, 115(2), 234–247. https://doi.org/10.33824/PJPR.2020.35.3.25
- Lee S. H., & Jeon W. T. (2015). The relationship between academic self-efficacy and academic burnout in medical students]. Korean J Med Educ. Mar;27(1), 27-35. https://doi.org/10.3946/kjme.2015.27.1.27
- Ljubin-Golub, T., Rijavec, M., & Olcar, D. (2020). Student flow and burnout: the role of teacher autonomy support and student autonomous motivation. Psychol Stud, 65(2), 145 – 156. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12646-019-00539-6
- Lu, L. (1997). Social support, reciprocity, and well-being. Journal of Social Psychology, 137(5), 618–628. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224549709595483
- Maslach, C., & Jackson, S. E. (1981). The measurement of experienced burnout. Journal of Occupational Behavior, 2(2), 99–113. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.4030020205
- Maslach, C., & Leiter, M. P. (1997). The Truth about Burnout. Jossey-Bass Publishers, San Francisco, CA.
- Maslach, C., Jackson, S. E., & Leiter, M. P. (1982). Maslach Burnout Inventory Manual (2nd ed.). Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press.
- Maslach, C., Schaufeli, W. B., &Leiter, M. P. (2001). Job burnout. Annual Review of Psychology, 52, 397–422. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1146/annurev.psych.52.1.397
- Meier, S. T., & Schmeck, R. R. (1985). The burned-out college student: A descriptive profile. Journal of College Student Personnel, 26(1), 63–69.
- Mitchell, R. E., & Trickett, E. J. (1980). Task force report: Social networks as mediators of social support: An analysis of the effects and determinants of social networks. Community mental health journal, 16, 27-44. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00780665
- Ólafsdóttir, E. (2022). Multidimensional perfectionism and academic burnout in university students: the moderating role of autonomy support.
- Ozamiz-Etxebarria, N., Idoiaga Mondragon, N., Bueno-Notivol, J., & Santabárbara, J. (2021). Prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress among teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A rapid systematic review with meta-analysis. Brain Sciences, 11(9), 1172. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11091172
- Rhees, N. T. (2024). The Effect of Applied Mental Health Courses on College Student Anxiety and Perfectionism
- Rys, C., & Spada, M. M. (2021). Perfectionism and academic burnout among college students: The role of social support and psychological flexibility. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 19, 1-9.
- Salmera-Aro, K. & Read, R. (2017). Study engagement and burnout profiles among Finish higher education students. Burnout Research, 7, 21 – 28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.burn.2017.11.001
- Sarason, I. G. (1988). Anxiety, self-preoccupation and attention. Anxiety Research, 1(1), 3–7. https://doi.org/10.1080/10615808808248215
- Schaufeli, W. B., & Taris, T. W. (2014). A critical review of the Job Demands-Resources Model: Implications for improving work and health. Bridging Occupational, Organizational and Public Health, 43–68. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022102033005003
- Schaufeli, W. B., et al. (1974). Burnout and the work environment. Journal of Applied Psychology, 59(2), 234–245.
- Schaufeli, W. B., Martinez, I., Marque´s-Pinto, A., Salanova, M., & Bakker, A. B., (2002). Burnout and engagement in university students: A Cross-national study. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 33, 464–481. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022102033005003
- Sirois, F. M., & Molnar, D. S. (2016). The role of perfectionism in predicting burnout and depression among college students. Personality and Individual Differences, 92, 85-90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2015.12.031
- Slade, P. D., & Owens, R. G. (1998). A dual process model of perfectionism based on reinforcement theory. Behavior Modification, 22(3), 372–390. https://doi.org/10.1177/01454455980223010
- Stallman, H. M. (2010). Psychological distress in university students: A comparison with general population data. Australian Psychologist, 45(4), 249–257. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00050067.2010.482109
- Stober, J. (1998). The Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale: More perfect with four (instead of six) dimensions. Personality and Individual Differences, 24(4), 481-491. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1016/S0191-8869(97)00207-9
- Szczygieł, D., & Mikolajczak, M. (2018). Emotional intelligence buffers the effects of burnout on job satisfaction and affective commitment. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 2749. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02649
- Wardle, E. A., & Mayorga, M. G. (2016). Burnout among the counseling profession: A survey of future professional counselors. Journal on Educational Psychology, 10(1), 9-15.
- Yildirim, M. (2020). Mediating role of resilience in the relationships between perceived social support and psychological well-being and life satisfaction. Journal of Psychology, 154(6), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.5964/ejop.v15i2.1640
- Zhou, Y., Wang, Z., & Yang, X. (2022). Social support as a moderator between work stress and burnout among healthcare workers during COVID-19. BMC Public Health, 22(1), 164.
- Zimet, G. D., Dahlem, N. W., Zimet, S. G., & Farley, G. K. (1988). The multidimensional scale of perceived social support. Journal of Personality Assessment 52, 30–41. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa5201_2