Multidimensional Perfectionism and Burnout: A Meta-Analysis
Open accessAbstract
A meta-analysis of research examining the relationships between multidimensional perfectionism and burnout is provided. In doing so, relationships before and after controlling for the relationship between dimensions of perfectionism were examined along with whether relationships were moderated by domain (work, sport, or education). A literature search yielded 43 studies ( N = 9,838) and 663 effect sizes. Meta-analysis using random-effects models revealed that perfectionistic strivings had small negative or non-significant relationships with overall burnout and symptoms of burnout. By contrast, perfectionistic concerns displayed medium-to-large and medium positive relationships with overall burnout and symptoms of burnout. After controlling for the relationship between dimensions of perfectionism, “pure” perfectionistic strivings displayed notably larger negative relationships. In terms of moderation, in some cases, perfectionistic strivings were less adaptive and perfectionistic concerns more maladaptive in the work domain. Future research should examine explanatory mechanisms, adopt longitudinal designs, and develop interventions to reduce perfectionistic concerns fueled burnout.
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Recent evidence indicates that the associations between different dimensions of perfectionism and various outcomes differ depending on whether the raw or the semi-partial correlation is used.
“We include tests using semi-partial correlations as well as raw correlations in light of recent evidence indicating that the associations between different dimensions of perfectionism and various outcomes differ depending on whether the raw or the semi-partial correlation is used (A. P. Hill & Curran, 2015; Stoeber & Otto, 2006).”
From A Meta–Analytic and Conceptual Update on the Associations between Procrastination and Multidimensional Perfectionism (2017) · cites this paper as A. P. Hill & Curran, 2015
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- Authors
- Hill, A. P., & Curran, T.
- Affiliations
- York St John University (GB)
- University of Bath (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Hill, Andrew P.
- Venue
- Personality and Social Psychology Review
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2015-07-31
- Volume
- 20
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 269-288
- ISSN
- 1088-8683 (ISSN-L)
- 1532-7957
- OpenAlex
- W2170758274
- Cited by
- 389
- References
- 121
- Citations by year
- 2026: 55 · 2025: 51 · 2024: 46 · 2023: 48 · 2022: 38 · 2021: 38 · 2020: 27 · 2019: 27 · 2018: 29 · 2017: 17 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 2
- FWCI
- 24.42
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- orcid.org
- Locations
- Personality and Social Psychology Review (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Research at York St John (York St John University) (acceptedVersion)
- Pure (University of Bath) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Perfectionism, Procrastination, Anxiety Studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Stress and Burnout Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Workaholism, burnout, and well-being
- Keywords
- perfectionism, burnout, perfectionistic strivings, perfectionistic concerns, multidimensional perfectionism, work domain, burnout symptoms, maladaptive perfectionism
- MeSH terms
- Perfectionism, Burnout, Professional, Humans, Sports
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