| Abstract [eng] |
In the professional activities of medical workers, one of the most critical aspects is caring for others, often at the expense of their own needs and well-being. The dedication to the well-being of others is often a defining trait that leads individuals to choose a career in medicine. Constant concern for others requires significant responsibility and self-control, which often highlights the perfectionism inherent in this trait—a personality characteristic marked by a tendency to set unrealistically high personal standards and critically evaluate one’s ability to achieve them. Analyzing the connections between medical professionals’ work and personality traits is essential for better understanding the factors influencing their psychological resilience and health. High aspirations and striving for hard-to-achieve goals often lead to emotional exhaustion and professional burnout, resulting in significantly higher levels of psychological strain among healthcare professionals compared to employees in other sectors. The focus of this study is on the relationship between perfectionism and professional burnout. The goal of the study is to uncover the connections between perfectionism and professional burnout in the medical sector. To achieve this goal, the following objectives were set: to define the concepts of perfectionism and professional burnout, highlighting their main theoretical components; to explore the manifestation of perfectionism and professional burnout in the medical sector; and to identify the connections between perfectionism and professional burnout in the medical field. A quantitative structured data collection method—a written survey using a questionnaire—was employed to conduct the empirical study. The IBM SPSS Statistics 30.0.0.0 (Build 172) software was used to analyze the results, applying the following analysis methods: Cronbach's alpha coefficient, factor analysis, paired comparisons, analysis of variance, Friedman test, and descriptive statistics. A systematic review of scientific sources and an analysis of the concept of perfectionism reveal that perfectionism can be described through key dimensions: as a personality trait characterized by a tendency to set, pursue, and adhere to high standards, perfectionistic striving, self-criticism, and a lifestyle marked by these tendencies. Researchers examine perfectionism from different perspectives, with some distinguishing between adaptive and maladaptive dimensions, while others classify perfectionism into self-oriented, other-oriented, and socially prescribed types. Professional burnout syndrome is interpreted more variably. It can be defined as a phenomenon with multifaceted causes rooted in the individual, the organization, or lifestyle. Burnout is a consequence of prolonged distress, characterized by mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion. The results of the quantitative study reveal that burnout is the primary factor significantly affecting the emotional and physical well-being of medical professionals. While workload and work experience also influence levels of burnout and perfectionism, their impact is not as pronounced as that of burnout. Perfectionism often emerges as a reaction to burnout; however, as workload increases, the level of perfectionism tends to decrease. These findings highlight the importance of managing workload and reducing emotional stress in the medical field to mitigate burnout and improve the well-being of healthcare professionals. |
