Stress and burnout seem to be the new pandemic. A new study aimed to determine whether there is a link between perfectionism and the risk of burnout. The survey shows that 17% of the population suffers from some form of perfectionism. Furthermore, the study distinguishes between healthy and unhealthy perfectionism.
What is perfectionism, and what are its forms?
Perfectionism is not about striving for perfection but rather the inability to cope with imperfection, explains Céline Douillez, professor of psychology. The study indicates that 17% of the population are perfectionists.
The study differentiates between healthy and unhealthy perfectionism. People with healthy perfectionism can set realistic goals and are driven by greater self-confidence. They canhandle external demands and the pressure they place on themselves. They aim for high standards and excellence but know how to protect themselves from excessive pressure and consciously take time for themselves.
This is a key difference with unhealthy perfectionism. While healthy perfectionists set realistic goals, those with unhealthy perfectionism set unrealistic ones. They experience a gap between what they want to achieve and what they actually accomplish because their goals are unattainable. As a result, unhealthy perfectionists live in constant fear of failure.
Risk of burnout
Our study shows that 6 in 10 people suffer from stress-related physical issues, such as muscle pain, neck pain, shoulder or back pain, and they have trouble falling asleep. Approximately 11% of the working population is at high risk of burnout.
The link between burnout and perfectionism
Burnout has multiple causes. For example, the COVID-19 crisis placed high demands on employees, with remote work, virtual meetings, and lockdowns leading to mental fatigue. Additionally, the study indicates that perfectionism can also contribute to burnout. People with unhealthy perfectionism have an increased risk of burnout. Interestingly, healthy perfectionism appears to be the best protection against burnout.
Young people are at higher risk of burnout
Age also plays a role in the risk of burnout. The 18 to 35 age group faces a concerning risk of burnout. Not only are school and/or work pressures increasing, but social media also causes concerns for young people. This age group is particularly vulnerable to burnout-related issues such as disordered eating, excessive self-criticism, dissatisfaction with personal achievements, fear of evaluations, and fear of failure.
Therapy or coaching to combat unhealthy perfectionism
Previous research shows that unhealthy perfectionism can be managed through therapy or coaching. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), psychodynamic or interpersonal therapy, and perfectionism coaching are effective methods for learning to cope with unhealthy perfectionism. When individuals with unhealthy perfectionism succeed in this, their resilience increases, allowing them to transform their perfectionism into a healthier form.
About the study
This study was conducted by Indiville and Bpact, commissioned by Passion For Work, among the Flemish population. All conclusions above therefore apply to Flanders, the Dutch-speaking region of Belgium.
