15 Years of Parental Burnout Research: Systematic Review and Agenda

Abstract

Parental burnout (PB), an exhaustion disorder related to parenting, is receiving increasing attention. In this article we aim to take stock of the findings accumulated about PB over the past 15 years. We review and organize the literature around four questions: (a) What is parental burnout? (b) Which factors are associated with an increased risk of PB? (c) What are the consequences of PB? (d) What are the current treatment options? In order to answer these questions, the article includes a correlational meta-analysis (k = 49, Ntotal = 35,170) of all empirical studies published on PB up to July 2021. In the last part of the article, we provide a road map for future research by pinpointing particularly promising paths and methodological improvements needed to draw stronger conclusions.