Year: 2026 | Month: April-June | Volume: 10 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 17-25
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/gijash.20260203
Reconceptualizing the “Not Enough” Mindset (Overachiever Syndrome) Among High School Students: A Mixed-Methods Study in Dong Thap Province, Vietnam
Pham The Hung
Faculty of Political Education and Educational Management Dong Thap University, Vietnam
Corresponding Author: Pham The Hung
ABSTRACT
The contemporary educational landscape, characterized by heightened academic rigor and escalating socio-cultural expectations, has fostered the emergence of the “not enough” mindset, a form of overachiever syndrome among adolescents. This study investigates the prevalence, manifestations, and psychological determinants of this phenomenon within the specific context of high school students in Dong Thap province, Vietnam. Utilizing a robust mixed-methods design, the research analyzed data from a sample of 500 students, supplemented by qualitative insights from parents and educators to provide a holistic view of the adolescent experience. The findings reveal that while the “not enough” mindset can occasionally serve as a temporary performance catalyst, it predominantly manifests in maladaptive forms that compromise long term well-being. Specifically, over 50% of participants reported persistent self-critical tendencies, with chronic achievement dissatisfaction and pervasive peer comparison identified as the most salient psychological markers. These maladaptive traits are significantly driven by intense parental expectations, a systemic lack of self-awareness among students, and high-stakes socio-academic competition. Consequently, this paper proposes a multi-level intervention framework that integrates cognitive restructuring strategies and emotional regulation training within school-based psychological curricula. These results offer critical implications for educational policy and the development of personalized counseling practices aimed at mitigating the "not enough" mindset in rapidly evolving academic environments
Keywords: Not enough mindset; Maladaptive perfectionism; Adolescent mental health; Overachiever syndrome; Psychological pressure; School-based intervention
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