The Perfectionist’s Dilemma in Sport and Performance Psychology Graduate Trainees

Abstract

The mental health of students in higher education has garnered increasing attention, yet existing research largely overlooks graduate students, particularly those in Sport and Performance Psychology (SPP). These students navigate multiple demanding roles while managing constant evaluation, hierarchical dynamics, and emotional labor inherent in graduate training. Within this context, perfectionism and burnout emerge as critical concerns. Emotional intelligence (EI) has been found to mitigate the negative impacts of perfectionism and burnout, underscoring its potential as a buffer. Despite evidence supporting EI’s protective role in academic and clinical settings, no studies have specifically explored its impact on SPP graduate students. This narrative theoretical review aims to bridge that gap by reviewing the literature on the intersection of EI, perfectionism, and burnout and calling for targeted research to understand better and address the needs of SPP graduate trainees. It also issues a twofold call to action: 1) to encourage more research on the development and impact of perfectionism and burnout in SPP graduate students, and 2) to foster open discussions that mobilize resources aimed at addressing the mental health needs of SPP graduate trainees. Given that perfectionism has been shown to predict burnout, early identification and intervention, potentially through EI enhancement strategies, are essential to mitigate long-term psychological distress and the future of SPP.