Peer-reviewed article
Parental burnout and child well-being: A dyadic analysis among mothers and fathers.
Maëlle Grandjean, Giulia F. M. Spagnulo, Laura Marika Vowels, Joëlle Darwiche ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-sonnet-5-5This study looked at how parental burnout relates to children's daily well-being. It followed 85 couples (85 mothers and 85 fathers) for 8 days using daily diary reports. Parents rated their children's well-being, and burnout was measured at baseline. Mothers' burnout was clearly linked to both parents' views of their children's well-being. The link with fathers' burnout was weaker and varied more, so it is harder to interpret.
Key points
- Data came from 85 couples over an 8-day daily diary period.
- Parental burnout was measured at baseline; child well-being was measured at baseline and in daily reports.
- Maternal burnout was significantly associated with both mothers' and fathers' perceptions of child well-being.
- The association with paternal burnout was weaker and more variable.
- The authors call for interventions at family and societal levels to reduce chronic stress.
Limitations
Child well-being was reported only by parents, not by children, and the study covers a short period with 85 couples. It shows associations, not cause and effect, and cannot tell us how effects differ by child age or family structure.
Abstract
This study investigates the impact of parental burnout on children's daily well-being, a topic that currently remains underexplored in research. Using a daily diary methodology, we assessed the mean levels of child well-being as reported by parents across days and examined their relationship with both maternal and paternal burnout. Data were collected from 85 couples (85 mothers and 85 fathers) over an 8-day period, with parental burnout measured at baseline and child well-being assessed both at baseline and via daily reports. The findings indicate a significant association between maternal burnout and both mothers' and fathers' perceptions of their children's well-being, whereas the link with paternal burnout was weaker and more variable, making its interpretation more complex. While the study contributes to our understanding of the association between parental burnout and child well-being, future research should focus on incorporating children's self-reported perspectives, examining how the impact of burnout varies across ages, and considering diverse family structures. Addressing parental burnout will require interventions at both familial and societal levels to mitigate chronic stress and promote healthier family environments. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).