Will Social Behavior Have a Mediating Effect on the Relationship between Perfectionistic Tendencies and Athlete Burnout?

Objective: In this study, I investigated the mediating effect of social behavior on the relationship between perfectionistic tendencies and burnout in Taekwondo athletes. Methods: Overall, 239 university and professional athletes registered with the Korean Taekwondo Association in 2020 responded to a series of relevant scales. Results: Perfectionism striving mediated anti-social behavior and had a fully mediating effect on athlete burnout, while perfectionism concern mediated anti-social behavior and had a partial mediating effect on athlete burnout. Conclusions: Taekwondo athletes participating in sports experience various psychological factors that contribute to burnout or social behaviors that favorably influence sports performance. A greater understanding of perfectionist tendencies among Taekwondo athletes is needed to manage and prevent burnout.