Parental burnout: a scoping review

scoping review as according to the Joanna Briggs Institute. Search in January 2021, in six databases of publications in English, Portuguese or Spanish, without time limits. Data extracted and descriptively analyzed by three independent researchers.

Results:

374 articles were identified and 20 were included in the final sample, all published in English, from 2017 onwards. Parental burnout is a complex, multifactorial problem, distinct from burnout cases, depressive symptoms and other mental health alterations. It affects 0.2 to 20% of parents, has validated and suitable instruments for measurement; if not treated, can have consequences on marital life, work relationships, child neglect and violence.

Conclusions:

this is a recent theme that needs to be explored, due to the possible impact on children’s and families’ health and on parents’ work processes. Protocol registered in the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/jd7vk).

Descriptors:
Parenting; Burnout, Psychological; Parental Burnout; Parents; Review

Title	Country/ Year	Objectives	Design/ Number of participants	Outcomes	Risk of bias^* *Risk of bias calculated by the JBI Appraisal Tools(15). ⁽¹⁵⁾15 Joanna Briggs Institute. Joanna Briggs institute reviewers’ manual: 2014 edition [Internet]. Adelaide: University of Adelaide; 2020[cited 2020 Oct 08]. Available from: https://nursing.lsuhsc.edu/JBI/docs/ReviewersManuals/ReviewersManual.pdf https://nursing.lsuhsc.edu/JBI/docs/Revi...
1. A step forward in the conceptualization and measurement of parental burnout: The Parental Burnout Assessment (PBA)⁽¹⁶⁾16 Roskam I, Brianda M-E, Mikolajczak M. A step forward in the conceptualization and measurement of Parental Burnout: the parental burnout assessment (PBA). Front Psychol. 2018;9:758. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00758 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00758...	Belgium, 2018	Describe steps in the construction of an instrument to measure and assess parental burnout and support its conceptualization.	Methodological study through survey/ 901 parents	The instrument consisted of 50 items, with responses in a Likert-type scale (related to frequency), divided into three subscales: I- emotional exhaustion; II – emotional distance and III – parents’ loss of fulfillment. The instrument proved to be valid; however, it must be suitable for different languages and cultures. Parental psychological traits, parental factors and family functioning contributed to the occurrence of parental burnout.	100%
2. A theoretical and clinical framework for parental burnout: the balance between risks and resources (BR²)⁽¹⁷⁾17 Mikolajczak M, Roskam I. A theoretical and clinical framework for Parental Burnout: the balance between risks and resources (BR2). Front Psychol. 2018;9:886. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00886 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00886...	Belgium, 2018	Test a theoretical model of balance between risk factors and resources in parental burnout.	Longitudinal/ 923 parents	The instrument reliably measured parents’ balance between risks and resources. A strong relationship was identified between the model and the Parental Burnout Assessment (PBA). The model was found to predict parental exhaustion. Risks and resources not specific to parenting predict work and parental burnout. Parenting-specific risks and resources only predict parental burnout. Imbalances between risk and resources are common to all parents with parental burnout.	100%
3. Exhausted parents: development and preliminary validation of the parental burnout inventory⁽⁶⁾6 Roskam I, Raes M-E, Mikolajczak M. Exhausted parents: development and preliminary validation of the parental burnout inventory. Front Psychol. 2017;8:163. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00163 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00163...	Belgium, 2017	Validate the parental burnout construct and measurement instrument.	Methodological study through survey/ 2,102 parents	The parental burnout inventory showed adequate validity and reliability; the 22 items had strong psychometric properties. There was a low correlation of parental burnout with burnout, stress and depression, proving to be a specific syndrome. 2 to 12% prevalence of parental burnout in the sample.	100%
4. Validity of the parental burnout inventory among Dutch employees⁽⁷⁾7 Van Bakel HJA, Van Engen ML, Peters P. Validity of the parental burnout inventory among Dutch employees. Front Psychol. 2018;9:697. https://doi. org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00697 https://doi. org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.0069...	Netherlands, 2018	Validate the PBA in a sample of working parents in the Netherlands.	Methodological study through cross-sectional data collection/ 627 parents	Low correlation between parental burnout, burnout, stress, depression and experience of conflicts in the family and at work. Parental burnout: new and specific concept. PBA: instrument with good consistency and reliability to assess parental burnout. Prevalence of parental burnout 0.2% - 0.3% for mothers and <0.01% for fathers.	100%
5. Differences in parental burnout: influence of demographic factors and personality of parents and children⁽¹⁸⁾18 Le Vigouroux S, Scola C. Differences in parental burnout: influence of demographic factors and personality of parents and children. Front Psychol. 2018;9:887. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00887 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00887...	France, 2018	Replicate the PBA and analyze the influence of sociodemographic factors and parent and child personality traits in detected cases of parental burnout.	Longitudinal/ 372 parents	Younger parents – higher personal achievement scores and higher exhaustion scores. The number of children was associated with greater emotional distance between parents and children. Parental traits – meticulousness and lack of emotional control were at risk for burnout. Children with lack of control and meticulousness – associated with parental burnout. High level of neuroticism associated with parents’ lower sense of accomplishment, greater exhaustion and distance. Parental personality influenced 42.3% of cases of parental burnout and children’s personality contributed in 13.8% of cases.	100%
6. Preliminary validation of Japanese version of the parental burnout inventory and its relationship with perfectionism⁽¹⁹⁾19 Kawamoto T, Furutani K, Alimardani M. Preliminary validation of Japanese version of the parental burnout inventory and its relationship with perfectionism. Front Psychol. 2018;9:970. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00970 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00970...	Japan, 2018	Validate the Japanese version of the PBA.	Survey/ 1,200 parents	Low correlation between parental burnout and burnout, parental stress and depression. Perfectionism at work was correlated with parental burnout. Prevalence of 17.3% of parental burnout (greater in mothers than in fathers - 21% mothers and 2.3% fathers).	100%
7. Development and preliminary validation of the maternal burnout scale (MBS) in French sample of mothers: bifactorial structure, reliability and validity⁽²⁰⁾20 Sánchez-Rodríguez R, Callahan S, Séjourné N. Development and preliminary validation of the maternal burnout scale (MBS) in a French sample of mothers: bifactorial structure, reliability, and validity. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2019;23(4):573-83. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-019-00993-1 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-019-00993...	France, 2019	Develop and validate an instrument for measuring burnout in mothers (Maternal Burnout Scale - MBS).	Methodological study, with crosssectional data collection/ 1,950 mothers	The MBS had good psychometric properties with good overall and subscale internal consistency. Prevalence of burnout in mothers: 6.6%.	100%
8. Is parental burnout distinct from job burnout and depressive symptomatology?⁽²¹⁾21 Mikolajczak M, Gross JJ, Stinglhamber F, Norberg AL, Roskam I. Is parental burnout distinct from job burnout and depressive symptomatology? Clin Psychol Sci. 2020;8(4):673-89. https://doi.org/10.1177/2167702620917447 https://doi.org/10.1177/2167702620917447...	Belgium, 2020	Clarify the distinction between the concepts of parental burnout, burnout (work) and depressive symptoms.	Cross-sectional/ 3,482 parents	There was a distinction between parental burnout and burnout and depressive symptoms, and it was found as consequences of parental burnout: child violence and/or neglect and intention to leave work, and none of these consequences were associated with depressive symptoms.	100%
9. Validity of the Finnish version of the Parental Burnout Assessment (PBA)⁽²²⁾22 Aunola K, Sorkkila M, Tolvanen A. Validity of the finnish version of the parental burnout assessment (PBA). Scand J Psychol. 2020;61(5):714-22. https://doi.org/10.1111/sjop.12654 https://doi.org/10.1111/sjop.12654...	Finland, 2020	Validate the Finnish version of the PBA instrument.	Methodological study, through survey/ 1,688 parents	The instrument (PBA) had adequate psychometric properties to measure parental burnout. Parental burnout presented itself as a different construct, with its specific characteristics.	100%
10. Exhausted parents: sociodemographic, child-related, parentrelated, parenting and family functioning correlates of parental burnout⁽²³⁾23 Mikolajczak M, Raes M-E, Avalosse H, Roskam I. Exhausted parents: sociodemographic, child-related, parent- related, parenting and familyfunctioning correlates of Parental Burnout. J Child Fam Stud. 2017;27:602-14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-017-0892-4 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-017-0892-...	Belgium, 2018	Investigate risk factors associated with parental burnout.	Cross-sectional/ 1,732 countries	Parental burnout is a complex and multifactorial problem. - Risk factors: parental traits: neuroticism and avoidance of excesses; parenting: restriction of roles; family malfunction: exposure to conflict and family disorganization. - Protection factors: parental traits: emotional intelligence; parenting: positive parenting and self-efficacy beliefs as parents; satisfaction and agreement with partner (coparenting).	100%
11. Maternal burnout syndrome: contextual and psychological associated factors⁽²⁴⁾24 Lebert-Charron A, Dorard G, Boujut E, Wendland J. Maternal Burnout syndrome: contextual and psychological associated factors. Front Psychol. 2018;9:885. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00885 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00885...	France, 2018	Explore influencing contexts and psychological factors associated with parental burnout.	Cross-sectional/ 304 mothers	Exhaustion percentage was detected – 13.4%; depersonalization – 4.9%; and parental ineffectiveness – 7.4%. Parental burnout scores were strongly associated with depressive symptoms, anxiety, stress and parental stress. Parenting-oriented coping style was associated with professional fulfillment. Factors associated with burnout were: being employed; working full time; and living without a partner.	100%
12. Feeling pressure to be a perfect mother relates to parental burnout and career ambitions⁽²⁵⁾25 Meeussen L, Van Laar C. Feeling pressure to be a perfect mother relates to Parental Burnout and career ambitions. Front Psychol. 2018;9:2113. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02113 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02113...	Belgium, 2018	Relate the pressure of “being a perfect mother” and parental burnout and how perfect motherhood affects women’s work.	Survey/ 169 working mothers	Association between being a perfect mother and emotional exhaustion. Relationships mediated by parental stress. Pressure to be a perfect mother has an indirect effect on career ambitions and self-care. Balance between work and family was associated with lower career projections and ambitions.	100%
13. The big five personality traits and parental burnout: protective and risk factors⁽²⁶⁾26 Le Vigoroux S, Scola C, Raes M-E, Mikolajczak M, Roskam I. The big five personality traits and parental burnout: protective and risk factors. Personal Individ Dif. 2017;119:216-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2017.07.023 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2017.07.0...	Belgium, 2017	Test the impact of personality traits on the occurrence of parental burnout.	Cross-sectional/ 1,723 countries	Three personality traits were related to the occurrence of parental burnout: neuroticism (higher level associated with the occurrence); awareness (low level associated with the occurrence); and sympathy (lower levels associated with the occurrence).	100%
14. Risk factors for parental burnout among Finish relatives: the role of socially prescribed perfectionism⁽²⁷⁾27 Sorkkila M, Aunola K. Risk factors for parental burnout among finnish parents: the role of socially prescribed perfectionism. J Child Fam Stud. 2019;29:648-59. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-019-01607-1 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-019-01607...	Finland, 2020	Check the association between perfectionism, sociodemographic variables and parental burnout.	Cross-sectional/ 1,729 parents	The following were associated with emotional exhaustion: age of parents (younger parents), unemployment, and poor financial conditions. Perfectionism was associated with emotional exhaustion.	100%
15. Depression, anxiety, and quilt in mothers with burnout of preschool and schoolaged children: insight from a cluster analysis⁽²⁸⁾28 Sánchez-Rodríguez R, Orsini E, Laflaquière E, Callahan S, Séjourné N. Depression, anxiety, and guilt in mothers with burnout of preschool and school-aged children: insight from a cluster analysis. J Affect Disord. 2019;259:244-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2019.08.031 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2019.08.03...	France, 2019	Explore the effects of depression, anxiety and guilt on the occurrence of parental burnout.	Cross-sectional/ 210 mothers diagnosed with parental burnout	Presence of severe symptoms of parental burnout in 20% of mothers and 50% had more than one child. Parental burnout and anxiety were associated with feelings of guilt.	100%
16. Regulation between daily exhaustion and support in parenting: a dyadic perspective⁽²⁹⁾29 Gillis A, Roskam I. Regulation between daily exhaustion and support in parenting: a dyadic perspective. Int J Behav Dev. 2020;44(3):226-35. https:// doi.org/10.1177/0165025419868536 https:// doi.org/10.1177/016502541986853...	Belgium, 2019	Investigate the variation in parental exhaustion on a daily basis and the relationship with partners’ perception of support.	Longitudinal/ 194 parents	There was variation in feelings between couples on a daily basis as well as daily regulation. On the day a parent felt exhausted, high exhaustion was detected in the partner. The greater the exhaustion, the greater the perception of support. Mothers felt more exhausted and fathers were supportive. Early intervention normalizes ambiguity, frustration and exhaustion. Greater motivation in being a good parent and partner leads to greater fit in the relationship. The study points to the need for couple therapy when high levels of exhaustion are detected in both partners.	100%
17. Gender differences in the nature, antecedents and consequences of parental burnout⁽³⁰⁾30 Roskam I, Mikolajczak M. Gender differences in the nature, antecedents and consequences of parental burnout. Sex Roles. 2020;83:485-93. https:// doi.org/10.1007/s11199-020-01121-5 https:// doi.org/10.1007/s11199-020-0112...	Belgium, 2020	Assess the effect of gender on the nature, antecedents and consequences of parental exhaustion.	Cross-sectional/ 874 parents	Mothers showed higher levels of strain than fathers as well as higher levels of imbalance between risks and resources. However, the consequences of parental burnout were more severe in fathers than in mothers – with a higher frequency of child suicidal ideation, escape and neglect.	100%
18. Maternal Burnout: an exploratory study⁽³¹⁾31 Sejourne N, Sanchez-Rodriguez R, Leboullenger A, Callahan S. Maternal burn-out: an exploratory study. J Reprod Infant Psychol. 2018;36(3):276-88. https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2018.1437896 https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2018.14...	France, 2018	Detect prevalence of burnout in mothers and associated factors.	Cross-sectional/ 263 mothers	20% prevalence of burnout in mothers. The following were associated with maternal burnout: having a child with a temper; having had postpartum depression; anxiety; low satisfaction with personal and professional life; and stress related to parenting.	100%
19. Consequences of parental burnout: its specific effect on child neglect and violence⁽³²⁾32 Mikolajczak M, Brianda ME, Avalosse H, Roskam I. Consequences of parental burnout: its specific effect on child neglect and violence. Child Abuse Negl. 2018;80:134-45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.03.025 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.03...	Belgium, 2018	Assess the consequences of parental burnout.	Cross-sectional/ 1,551 countries	Parental burnout had similar effects to burnout (work) in relation to sleep disorders. Parental burnout caused stronger effects on couples’ conflicts and distancing from the partner. Specific effects of parental burnout were considered: child neglect and/or violence; escapes and suicidal ideation.	100%
20. Parental burnout: what is it and why does it matter?⁽³³⁾33 Mikolajczak M, Gross JJ, Roskam I. Parental Burnout: what is it and why does it matter?. Clin Psychol Sci. 2019;7(6):1319-29. https://doi. org/10.1177/2167702619858430 https://doi. org/10.1177/216770261985843...	Belgium, 2017	Assess the consequences of parental burnout	Longitudinal study/ 1,740 parents	Parents who had parental burnout had a higher risk of suicidal ideation and escapes, in addition to showing violent behavior and neglecting the children.	100%

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[1] Corresponding author: Mariana Torreglosa Ruiz E-mail: marianatorreglosa@hotmail.com