The Impact of Perfectionism and Academic Burnout among University Students: The Role of Social Support

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.