Fear of self-compassion may increase mental health vulnerability among perfectionistic athletes
However, striving for excellence may not be unequivocally harmful. Many athletes experience perfectionistic traits as a resource that helps them develop and achieve their goals. For this reason, it is important to investigate factors that may protect athletes’ mental health even when perfectionistic behaviours are present.
The study examined the relationships between two dimensions of perfectionism, perfectionistic strivings and perfectionistic concerns, and variables linked to athletes’ mental health: performance-related feeling states, shame evaluations, and psychological distress. In addition, the study investigated the mediating role of self-compassion and fear of self-compassion in these relationships.
A total of 693 Finnish competitive athletes aged 15 to 60 participated in the online survey. The sample included athletes from more than 70 sports, ranging from regional-level competitions to international elite sport.
Fear of self-compassion associated with vulnerability to mental health problems
The results showed that the two dimensions of perfectionism were associated with mental health variables. Perfectionistic strivings predicted functional feeling states. In contrast, perfectionistic concerns were strongly associated with dysfunctional feeling states, shame evaluations, and psychological distress.
According to the findings, as hypothesized, self-compassion further enhanced the positive association between perfectionistic strivings and functional feeling states. However, contrary to expectations, self-compassion did not buffer the association between perfectionistic concerns and risk factors for mental health problems.
Within competitive sport culture, self-compassion may be perceived as a threat to performance. Fear of self-compassion includes, for example, the belief that adopting a self-compassionate attitude may reduce motivation.
In the study, fear of self-compassion clearly strengthened the association between both dimensions of perfectionism and dysfunctional feeling states, psychological distress, and shame.
“This may suggest that perfectionistic athletes who fear or resist a compassionate attitude towards their experiences may be more vulnerable to developing mental health problems,” doctoral researcher Sanna Turakka from the University of Jyväskylä Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences says.
How athletes relate to self-critical thoughts matters
The study also examined how athletes relate to their self-critical thoughts. Based on the findings, Turakka suggests that, in terms of well-being, what may be particularly important is what competitive athletes do in the presence of self-critical thoughts. Unworkable actions guided by self-critical thoughts may be associated with dysfunctional feeling states and increased shame.
“More flexible ways of responding to perfectionistic self-critical thoughts may promote well-being.”
The study increases understanding of the psychological processes associated with perfectionism and may contribute to the development of more effective and individualized coaching interventions aimed at supporting the well-being of competitive athletes.
Original Research Article
Turakka, S., White, R. G., Robazza, C., Keinonen, K., & Ruiz, M. C. (2026). Perfectionism and athletes’ mental health: The mediating role of self-compassion. Performance Enhancement & Health, 14(3), 100431.
This research is supported by Urheiluopistosäätiö.
