Perfectionism and Burnout in Sport and Dance

Abstract

Objectives The aim of the present study was to evaluate the interaction between perfectionism and symptoms of burnout in athletes and dancers and examine the influence of chronic musculoskeletal pain on burnout levels.

Design Two structured questionnaires were used.

Methods We studied a group of 207 athletes and dancers (75 females and 132 males) aged 18-25 years (mean=21.4, SD=2.3). The study group comprised of 82 dancers, 72 football (soccer) players and 53 Kyokushin Karate fighters. The level of perfectionism was evaluated utilising the Sport-Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale-2, and the level of burnout was evaluated with the Athlete Burnout Questionnaire.

Results No significant differences between total burnout levels were noted between the dancers (M=2.88, SD=0.45), Kyokushin Karate fighters (M=2.81, SD=0.41) and football players (M=2.93, SD=0.44) (p=0.318). Athletes with a high level of perfectionism who experienced chronic pain had the highest levels of burnout (M=2.37, SD=0.68) compared to those characterised by a low level of perfectionism and experiencing pain and those not in pain.

Conclusions The athletes and dancers participating in the study set great store by meeting personal standards, which suggests that their coaches should ensure a high level of efficiency in order to prevent perfectionism contributing to burnout.

Zusammenfassung

Ziele Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war es, die Wechselwirkung zwischen Perfektionismus und Symptomen von Burnout bei Sportlern und Tänzern zu evaluieren und den Einfluss chronischer muskuloskelettaler Schmerzen auf das Burnout-Level zu untersuchen.

Design Es wurden 2 strukturierte Fragebögen verwendet.

Methoden Wir untersuchten eine Gruppe von 207 Athleten und Tänzern (75 Frauen und 132 Männer) im Alter von 18 bis 25 Jahren (Mittelwert=21,4, SD=2,3). Die Studiengruppe bestand aus 82 Tänzern, 72 Fußballspielern und 53 Kyokushin Karate-Kämpfern. Der Grad des Perfektionismus wurde unter Verwendung der Sport-Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale-2 bewertet, und der Grad des Burnouts wurde mit dem Athlete Burnout Questionnaire bewertet.

Ergebnisse Zwischen den Tänzern (M=2,88, SD=0,45), Kyokushin Karate-Kämpfer (M=2,81, SD=0,41) und Fußballspieler (M=2,93, SD=0,44) (p=0,318) wurden keine signifikanten Unterschiede zwischen den Gesamt-Burnout-Levels festgestellt. Sportler mit einem hohen Maß an Perfektionismus, die unter chronischen Schmerzen litten, hatten die höchsten Burnout-Werte (M=2,37, SD=0,68) im Vergleich zu Sportlern mit einem niedrigen Maß an Perfektionismus und Schmerzen und solchen ohne Schmerzen.

Schlussfolgerungen Die an der Studie teilnehmenden Athleten und Tänzer legen großen Wert auf die Einhaltung persönlicher Standards. Dies legt nahe, dass ihre Trainer ein hohes Maß an Effizienz sicherstellen sollten, um zu verhindern, dass Perfektionismus zum Burnout beiträgt.

Keywords

burnout - perfectionism - athlete

Schlüsselwörter

Burn-out - Perfektionismus - Sportler

Publication History

Received: 05 August 2019

Accepted: 28 December 2019

Article published online:
19 February 2020

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