Original Articles
Vol. 4 (2026)
https://doi.org/10.4081/mw.2026.51

Perfectionism, performance pressure, and self-esteem among software professionals: a cross-sectional study

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Published: 26 June 2026
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Perfectionism, self-esteem, mental health, occupational stress, information technology

Authors

Amit Amit
amitdoc7062@gmail.com
Department of Psychiatry, Mamata Medical College, Khammam, Telangana, India.
Preity Yarlagadda
Department of Psychiatry, Mamata Medical College, Khammam, Telangana, India.
Aditya Kulkarni
Department of Psychiatry, Mamata Medical College, Khammam, Telangana, India.
M. Pramod Kumar
Department of Psychiatry, Mamata Medical College, Khammam, Telangana, India.

Perfectionism and performance pressure are important determinants of psychological well-being among software professionals. This study examined the relationship between perfectionism (adaptive and maladaptive), performance pressure, anxiety, and self-esteem and identified factors independently associated with self-esteem. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 215 software professionals using convenience sampling. Data were collected using standardized instruments, including the Almost Perfect Scale-Revised, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Job-Related Tension Index, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. Self-esteem was positively associated with adaptive perfectionism (r=0.555, p<0.001) and negatively associated with maladaptive perfectionism (r=-0.307, p<0.001) and anxiety (r=-0.431, p<0.001). Performance pressure was strongly associated with anxiety (r=0.660, p<0.001) but not with self-esteem (r=0.049, p>0.05). Regression analysis showed that adaptive perfectionism and performance pressure were positively associated with self-esteem, while anxiety and maladaptive perfectionism were negatively associated with self-esteem (p<0.001). In conclusion, adaptive perfectionism is associated with higher self-esteem, whereas maladaptive perfectionism and anxiety negatively impact self-esteem.

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1.
Perfectionism, performance pressure, and self-esteem among software professionals: a cross-sectional study. Mental Wellness [Internet]. 2026 Jun. 26 [cited 2026 Jun. 26];4. Available from: https://www.mental-wellness-journal.net/mw/article/view/51
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