Perfectionism, over commitment to work, and burnout in employees seeking workplace counselling

Perfectionism and Neuroticism: Evidence for a common genetic and environmental etiology

INTRODUCTION

Recent meta-analyses have shown that perfectionism dimensions display significant relationships with the Big Five factors, with the strongest associations being detected between perfectionistic concerns and Neuroticism. To date, no research investigating the etiologic factors underlying these relationships has been conducted.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our study was to address this literature gap by exploring the genetic and environmental influences that explain the phenotypic associations between perfectionistic concerns and Neuroticism.

METHOD

We used a multivariate twin design and tested two theoretical genetic models, an Independent and a Common Pathway model, on a sample of 678 Romanian twins.

RESULTS

Univariate estimates showed that perfectionistic concerns and Neuroticism are moderately heritable (32%-46%). Multivariate analyses revealed that their phenotypic relationships were largely explained by additive genetic factors (r_g between .58 and .73). The best-fit Independent Pathway model indicated that perfectionistic concerns and Neuroticism were influenced directly by some common genetic and environmental factors accounting for approximately half of their individual variance.

CONCLUSION

The overlap between perfectionistic concerns and Neuroticism is mainly explained by a common genetic etiology. However, perfectionistic concerns and Neuroticism are still distinct personality features as their variances are also influenced by specific genetic and environmental factors.

The Comparison of Perfectionism and Commitment between Professional and Amateur Golfers and the Association between Perfectionism and Commitment in the Two Groups

This study investigated differences in perfectionist traits and commitment between professional and amateur golfers, as well as correlations among perfectionist traits, commitment, and golf handicap. Using simple random sampling, 486 professional golfers (mean age = 22.1 ± 3.0, 52.1% female) and 233 amateur golfers (mean age = 44.8 ± 10.2, 55.8% female) were recruited and assessed using the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS) and Expansion of Sports Commitment Model (ESCM). An ANCOVA, controlling for age, golf career length, and training time, revealed lower MPS self-oriented scores (10.3%; F = 8.9, p < 0.01; effect size [ES] = 0.498) and higher ESCM-Cognition (12.6%; F = 9.4, p < 0.01; ES = 0.691) and ESCM-Behavior (9.4%; F = 4.6, p = 0.03; ES = 0.479) scores in professional golfers than in amateur golfers. In partial correlations controlling for age, golf career length, and training time, professional golfers' MPS scores were negatively associated with ESCM-Cognition scores (r = -0.30, p < 0.001). Professional golfers' mean golf handicap was positively correlated with MPS total (r = 0.33, p < 0.01). Altogether, golfers seeking to attain high levels of performance must consider the mental aspect of golfing and find ways to maximize commitment levels while minimizing perfectionist traits.

Burnout: Re-examining its key constructs

There is widespread debate as to how to accurately define and measure burnout. The present study sought to address these issues by inviting participants who self-identified as experiencing burnout to complete a questionnaire covering a large item set of putative burnout features. Bifactor modelling identified a 'general' factor with items capturing exhaustion as well as psychological and cognitive dysfunction. Three additional 'specific' factors were also generated that delineated work-focused, inability to feel and compromised work functioning constructs. Similar factors were found when those still working and those no longer working were compared. Results indicate a new heuristic diathesis-stress model of burnout.

Understanding organizational citizenship behavior: the counselor’s role

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) as a variable to bridge employer’s and employee’s needs from employee counseling. This study examined the relationship between meaningful work, job satisfaction, and OCB and how their positive associations can be enhanced. The role of counselors was discussed, too.

Design/methodology/approach

A moderated mediation model was suggested with the mediation model of meaningful work, job satisfaction, and OCB and the moderator, work time flexibility. Intervention was implemented with the goal of increasing employee’s control over work schedule. Six analyses were conducted to compare before and after the intervention aiming for enhancing employee’s work time flexibility, and one year after the intervention. Comparison between the intervention and the control group was also implemented.

Findings

The result indicated that the intervention was effective but the effect did not last one year after the intervention. This study suggests the role of employee counselors at organization.

Originality/value

Psychological wellness of employees becomes an interest not only of employees but also employers to reduce cost from employee burnout and turnover. Employee counseling can be provided to improve employee’s psychological wellness and also to meet the goal of employers. Integrated perspective serving two purposes is suggested in this study.

Burnout and depressive symptoms in teachers: Factor structure and construct validity of the Maslach Burnout inventory-educators survey among elementary and secondary school teachers in Hungary

This study validated the Hungarian version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Educators Survey on a sample of n = 211 elementary and secondary teachers. To test factorial validity, we ran a series of confirmatory analysis with eight models. The best fitting model was the bifactor model with general burnout and three specific factors: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. Analyzing the covariates revealed that gender and age were not associated with burnout, but depressive symptoms and overcommitment had a significant relationship with general burnout, and overcommitment was related to emotional exhaustion as well.

Multidimensional Perfectionism and Burnout: A Meta-Analysis

A meta-analysis of research examining the relationships between multidimensional perfectionism and burnout is provided. In doing so, relationships before and after controlling for the relationship between dimensions of perfectionism were examined along with whether relationships were moderated by domain (work, sport, or education). A literature search yielded 43 studies (N = 9,838) and 663 effect sizes. Meta-analysis using random-effects models revealed that perfectionistic strivings had small negative or non-significant relationships with overall burnout and symptoms of burnout. By contrast, perfectionistic concerns displayed medium-to-large and medium positive relationships with overall burnout and symptoms of burnout. After controlling for the relationship between dimensions of perfectionism, "pure" perfectionistic strivings displayed notably larger negative relationships. In terms of moderation, in some cases, perfectionistic strivings were less adaptive and perfectionistic concerns more maladaptive in the work domain. Future research should examine explanatory mechanisms, adopt longitudinal designs, and develop interventions to reduce perfectionistic concerns fueled burnout.