International Journal of Social Science Research (IJSSR)

Effect Of Perfectionism on Burnout in Early Career Professionals: The Mediating Role of Work-Life Balance

Early career professionals (aged 19–35) often encounter a demanding phase of professional and personal development, where ambition, role adjustment, and the pursuit of excellence coexist with heightened vulnerability to stress and burnout. Perfectionism, while frequently associated with diligence and competence, can also foster emotional fatigue when expectations become excessive. This study investigated how perfectionism relates to burnout and whether work–life balance mediates this association. Using a quantitative, cross-sectional design, data were gathered from 130 professionals in Delhi and the NCR region through the Almost Perfect Scale–Revised, the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory, and the Work–Life Balance Scale. Correlational analyses revealed that perfectionism was inversely related to burnout and positively associated with work–life balance. Regression results showed that perfectionism accounted for roughly 10% of the variance in burnout, while the mediating role of work–life balance was not significant. The findings emphasize the complex nature of perfectionism and highlight the importance of cultivating balanced professional practices to maintain well-being among emerging professionals. Keywords- Perfectionism, Burnout, Work-Life Balance, Career, Professionals