Parenting During a Pandemic: Predictors of Parental Burnout

Abstract

The global pandemic, COVID-19, has resulted in significant changes in many aspects of our lives. For parents, the impact has been great as they combine work, family, and homeschooling while maintaining the wellbeing of themselves and their family. COVID-19 has brought about challenges that many parents have not faced before, putting them at risk for parental burnout. The goal of this study was to investigate risk and protective factors that predict parental burnout during COVID-19. Eighty-six parents (75 mothers; M age = 40.73; SD = 7.88) living in New Zealand during COVID-19 lockdown participated in the survey. Results showed parental violence, parental constellation, unemployment, major decreases in finances, and living in a disadvantaged neighborhood were the strongest predictors of parental burnout. Child independence and parental emotional regulation were the strongest protective predictors of parental burnout. COVID-19 restrictions did not predict parental burnout. Findings highlight that promoting protective factors may support parental equilibrium during future crises.