Perfectionism Leads To Athlete Burnout, Researchers Claim

Spread the love

Mental Health News

Researchers at the University of Essex explored the psychological mechanisms behind athlete burnout. The study is published in the Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology.

The Study

The researchers examined 256 adult athletes, men, and women. They were at least 21 years of age and had been competing for more than eight years, spanning university to international levels. They competed in a variety of sports (such as athletics, golf, weightlifting, football, netball, hockey, etc.) and were asked to fill questionnaires about their perfectionism, perceived stress, obsession with failure, and burnout.

The Findings

The results showed that participants who are always obsessing over mistakes or those with higher measures of self-criticality and perfectionism suffer from more stress and burnout. In facing greater psychological difficulty, they mentally disengage themselves from their sporting activities and their performance suffers.

Addressing Burnout

Along with other experts in sports psychology, the researchers recommend techniques to reduce perfectionism-induced stress and burnout. These include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), stress management and mindfulness strategies, and developing a more empathetic and realistic mindset about one’s personal expectations and goals.

One of the lead researchers, Mr. Olsson, elaborated that “athletes may be better served by being less self-critical which should allow them to celebrate successes in performance and embrace failures as an opportunity to reflect and improve rather than beat themselves up.”

To Know More Please Refer To

Olsson, Luke & Grugan, Michael & Martin, Joesph & Madigan, Daniel. (2021). Perfectionism and Burnout in Athletes: The Mediating Role of Perceived Stress. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology. 10.1123/jcsp.2021-0030.


Spread the love
  • How To Improve Mental Health: Just Ensure You Fulfill These 3 Criteria

    How To Improve Mental Health: Just Ensure You Fulfill These 3 Criteria

    Research delves into key factors that influence our mental health.

  • Feeling Lonely? Try rethinking Your Relationship Expectations!

    Feeling Lonely? Try rethinking Your Relationship Expectations!

    Research explores the link between social relationship expectations and loneliness…

  • Shraddha Walker’s Murder Case: Another Grisly Tale Of A Toxic Relationship

    Shraddha Walker’s Murder Case: Another Grisly Tale Of A Toxic Relationship

    Experts opine on the intricacies of online dating scams.

  • Family-Responsible Decision-Making In Health Is A Universal Trait: Study Finds

    Family-Responsible Decision-Making In Health Is A Universal Trait: Study Finds

    Researchers explored the universality of family-responsible decision-making in abating public…

  • Childhood Deprivation Fuels Impulsive Behavior: Study Finds

    Childhood Deprivation Fuels Impulsive Behavior: Study Finds

    Researchers explored the association between childhood deprivation and impulsive behavior…

  • Sleeping Less Than Five Hours A Night Triggers Chronic Diseases: Study

    Sleeping Less Than Five Hours A Night Triggers Chronic Diseases: Study

    Research provides insights into the link between sleeplessness and multimorbidity.

  • If We Put On A Happy Face, We Feel Happy: Study Finds

    If We Put On A Happy Face, We Feel Happy: Study Finds

    Researchers provided interesting insights into the psychology of happiness.

  • Early Fears Linked To Future Anxiety In Children: Study Finds

    Early Fears Linked To Future Anxiety In Children: Study Finds

    Researchers explored how adolescent mental health issues are linked to…

  • Music Improves Math Skills: Study Confirms

    Music Improves Math Skills: Study Confirms

    Researchers revealed how music lessons improve math skills.

  • Can Birdwatching Improve Our Mental Health? Study Finds

    Can Birdwatching Improve Our Mental Health? Study Finds

    Researchers explored the mental health benefits of birdwatching and listening…

  • Selena Gomez’s Mental Health: Spotlight On Therapy

    Selena Gomez’s Mental Health: Spotlight On Therapy

    How pop icon Selena Gomez’s new documentary talks of her…

  • Why Do Actors Suppress Their Sense Of Self? Surprising Study

    Why Do Actors Suppress Their Sense Of Self? Surprising Study

    Researchers explored how actors suppress their sense of self as…

  • People With A Lack Of Control Give In To Strong Social Norms: Study

    People With A Lack Of Control Give In To Strong Social Norms: Study

    Researchers explore how culture influences perceptions of control and societal…

  • How Does Watching True Crime Shows Affect Our Mental Health?

    How Does Watching True Crime Shows Affect Our Mental Health?

    Experts provide insights into the mental health effects of true…

  • Poor Sleep Impacts Women’s Work Ambitions: Study Finds

    Poor Sleep Impacts Women’s Work Ambitions: Study Finds

    A research team at Washington State University explored the link…

  • Mass School Shootings: Is Mental Illness Responsible? Study Reveals

    Mass School Shootings: Is Mental Illness Responsible? Study Reveals

    A research team examined the link between mental illness and…

  • Why Romantic First Impressions Matter? Study Finds

    Why Romantic First Impressions Matter? Study Finds

    Researchers explored how romantic first impressions influence the course of…

  • Morning Blue Light Therapy Can Improve PTSD: Study

    Morning Blue Light Therapy Can Improve PTSD: Study

    Researchers explored how morning blue light therapy can treat PTSD.

  • Parental Discord Triggers Alcoholism: Study Finds

    Parental Discord Triggers Alcoholism: Study Finds

    Researchers explored how parental discord triggers the genetic risk for…

  • Dopamine Dressing: Why This New Trend Of Fashion Therapy Is In Vogue?

    Dopamine Dressing: Why This New Trend Of Fashion Therapy Is In Vogue?

    Experts opine on the mental health benefits of dopamine dressing.

  • Childhood Trauma Raise Risk Of Mental Illness In Adulthood: Study Finds

    Childhood Trauma Raise Risk Of Mental Illness In Adulthood: Study Finds

    Researchers explored the link between childhood trauma and risks of…

  • Excessive Screen Time Is Not A Problem For Teens: New Study Says

    Excessive Screen Time Is Not A Problem For Teens: New Study Says

    Researchers explored how excessive screen time is not related to…

  • Does Attending Religious Services Increase Your Life Span?

    Does Attending Religious Services Increase Your Life Span?

    Researchers explored the health benefits of attending religious services.

  • Research Reveals How We Make Unconscious Decisions

    Research Reveals How We Make Unconscious Decisions

    Researchers explored how we make conscious and unconscious decisions.

  • Music Therapy: How Music Helps Mental Health?

    Music Therapy: How Music Helps Mental Health?

    Research explores the benefits of music in treating mental disorders.

  • How Do We Remember Positive Or Negative Memories? Study Finds

    How Do We Remember Positive Or Negative Memories? Study Finds

    Neuroscientists provided insights into the positive and negative power of…

  • How Wearing Face Masks Affect Behavior? Study Finds

    How Wearing Face Masks Affect Behavior? Study Finds

    Researchers explored the social benefits of wearing face masks.