Relationship between perfectionism and academic burnout: Focus on the mediating effect of academic stress and academic procrastination

Abstract

This study analyzed the relationship of socially prescribed perfectionism, academic burnout, academic stress, and academic procrastination. In addition, this study examined whether academic stress/procrastination has a mediating effect on the relationship between socially prescribed perfectionism and academic burnout. Data was collected from 283 cyber university students and analyzed using the correlation and structural equation model. The results showed that, socially prescribed perfectionism was positively correlated with academic stress and burnout, academic stress was correlated with academic procrastination and burnout, and academic procrastination was also correlated with academic burnout. Using the result of structural equation model analysis, socially prescribed perfectionism was found to enhance academic burnout through academic stress, or increase academic procrastination through academic stress, then resulted in academic burnout. This result suggested that to prevent academic burnout in a socially prescribed perfectionist, it is essential to lower their level of academic stress and prevent them from procrastination.