You better stop hiding your true self! The relationship between perceived false self, academic burnout, and mental health problems

Abstract

Introduction: False self is defined as the discrepancy between what we show and what we truly think and feel, and is associated with mental health and social problems. The present study aimed to examine the perception of false self-relationships with emotions, and educational and mental health problems. Specifically, the mediation effects of emotional regulation strategies and academic burnout on the association between perceived false self and depressive symptoms as well as life satisfaction were tested. Material and methods: The study design was cross-sectional. A paper-pencil method of data collection was used. The survey included the Academic Burnout Inventory (MBI-SS), the Perceived False Self Scale (POFS), the Depressive Symptoms Questionnaire (CES-D), and the life satisfaction scale (SWS). A total number of 149 participants took part in this study (aged: M=21.09; SD=1.72; 84.6% women). Results: The findings indicate that the perceived false self, emotional suppression, cognitive reappraisal, and academic burnout explain 31% of depressive symptoms and 31% of life satisfaction. The perceived false self was associated indirectly with depressive symptoms and life satisfaction via (1) emotional suppression, (2) academic burnout, and (3) emotional suppression, cognitive reassessment, and academic burnout altogether. Conclusions: Findings confirmed that inauthenticity is connected to mental health impairment and educational problems. Hiding the true self is associated with the suppression of true emotions, and for this reason, a person may experience tension. Consequently, a long-term struggle with distress generates burnout syndrome and an increased risk of mental health problems. In preventive interventions, it is important to include actions that strengthen authentic responses. Keywords: life satisfaction, emotional regulation, academic burnout, perceived false self, symptoms of depression