Parental burnout and child well-being: A dyadic analysis among mothers and fathers.

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).