The mediator role of self-regulation and self-compassion in the relationships between maladaptive perfectionism and burnout in university students

The aim of this research is to reveal the mediating roles of self-regulation and self-compassion skills in the relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and student burnout in university students. A descriptive study using the correlational research design was carried out. The study group of the research consists of 413 university students. Maslach Burnout Inventory Student Form, APS Perfectionism Scale, Self-Regulation and Self-Compassion Scales were used as data collection tools. The data obtained were analyzed with SPSS 23 package program and AMOS 22. Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient was used to examine the relationships between variables and Bootstrapping method was used to determine direct and indirect effects. According to the findings, it was found that there were significant positive relationships between maladaptive perfectionism and student burnout in university students, significantly negative relationships between maladaptive perfectionism and self-regulation, and significant negative relationships between self-regulation and student burnout. In addition, it was found that there were significantly negative relationships between maladaptive perfectionism and self-compassion, and significantly negative relationships between self-compassion and student burnout. It was also revealed that maladaptive perfectionism positively predicted student burnout, maladaptive perfectionism negatively predicted self-regulation and self-compassion, and self-regulation and self-compassion negatively predicted student burnout. When indirect relationships between variables were tested, it was found that self-regulation and self-compassion play a full mediating role in the relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and student burnout. The results were discussed in the context of the studies in the relevant literature and evaluated together. Finally, suggestions for practitioners and researchers for future studies are presented.