THE BEST OR NOTHING: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF WORKAHOLISM IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERFECTIONISM AND BURNOUT

The study involved 225 workers operating in an Italian public organization. The first aim was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the short version of the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale in the Italian context. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the 3-factor model of perfectionism and evidenced satisfactory psychometric properties of the scale. The study also aimed to test a theoretical model in which the three dimensions of perfectionism - self-oriented, other-oriented, socially prescribed perfectionism - have both a direct and an indirect effect, through workaholism, on emotional exhaustion and professional inefficacy. Results showed that self-oriented and other-oriented perfectionism were positively associated with workaholism, which, in turn, was positively associated with emotional exhaustion. Furthermore, workaholism mediated the relationship between self-oriented and other-oriented perfectionism and emotional exhaustion. Additionally, self-oriented perfectionism had a negative direct effect on emotional exhaustion, whereas socially prescribed perfectionism showed a positive direct effect on both emotional exhaustion and professional inefficacy. Possible implications are discussed for managers and human resources professionals.