Parental Identity and Psychological Need Satisfaction as Resources Against Parental Burnout

Abstract

High levels of stress experienced in the parental role can lead to parental burnout, a condition with severe consequences for both parents and children. Researchers have begun to document the antecedents of parental burnout, focusing primarily on risk factors. However, little is known about resources that prevent parents from developing parental burnout. Based on identity literature and self-determination theory, the purpose of this study was to examine both the unique and interacting roles of two psychological resources potentially protecting parents against parental burnout, that is, parental identity and psychological need satisfaction. A total of 450 parents (63.8% mothers, M age = 36.53) completed online questionnaires on parental identity, psychological need satisfaction, and parental burnout. Results showed that parents’ ruminative exploration of identity was related to more parental burnout. Using a bifactor model for psychological need satisfaction, in which general need satisfaction was distinguished from the three specific needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness), we found that autonomy satisfaction and general need satisfaction in particular were related to less parental burnout. Regarding the interplay of parental identity and psychological need satisfaction, we found systematic evidence for a moderating role, with the presence of one resource buffering the absence of the other resource. Overall, findings suggest that both parental identity and psychological need satisfaction serve as sources of resilience and may be interesting targets in prevention and intervention programs supporting parents at risk for parental burnout.