The Relationship of Positive and Negative Perfectionism with Burnout in Martial Arts Athletes

Background & Purpose: Burnout is considered as a detrimental factor in athletes’ performance and psychological health in which its formation, several psychological traits may play a role. To identify formation mechanisms of burnout, the present research studied the relationship of positive and negative perfectionism with burnout in martial arts athletes.
Methodology: In this cross-sectional-correlational study, 107 athletes (58 males and 49 females, mean of age 24 years) completed the Positive and Negative Perfectionism Scale and Athlete Burnout Questionnaire, and collected data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and multivariate regression model at 95 percent confidence level.
Results: Participants reported high and moderate levels of positive and negative perfectionism, respectively, and moderate to low level of burnout. The dimensions and total level of burnout were related negatively to positive perfectionism and positively to negative perfectionism. Positive and negative perfectionism explained 27.6%, 16.4%, 11.4%, and 23.5% of variance in reduced sense of accomplishment, emotional and physical exhaustion, devaluation, and total level of burnout, respectively.
Conclusion: With similar predictive abilities but in different directions, positive and negative perfectionism have decreasing and enhancing effects on athletes’ burnout in martial arts.