Language Teaching Research Quarterly

Given the dearth of research on the association between perfectionism in general and socially prescribed perfectionism (SPP) in particular and learning burnout among English as a foreign language (EFL) learners, the present research set to examine the link between SPP and language learning burnout under the effects of self-esteem and shame emotion simultaneously. Accordingly, 244 university EFL learners were recruited conveniently. They were administered adapted self-reported questionnaires. The data analysis was done through SPSS, AMOS, and Process Macro. The findings of SEM analysis showed that SPP and shame were positively related to burnout. Further, self-esteem could negatively predict burnout. There was also a negative relationship between shame and self-esteem. The findings of mediation analysis also indicated that both self-esteem and shame significantly mediated the impact of SPP on burnout. Theoretical and practical implications were presented and suggestions were provided for further research.