Association between Parenting Stress Increase and Parental Burnout

This study aims to investigate the connection between parenting stress and parental burnout, using a sample of Chinese parents. A total of 461 parents participated in the survey, and the data were analyzed using correlation and regression analyses to assess the relationship between parenting stress and burnout. The findings revealed a significant positive correlation between parenting stress and parental burnout (r = 0.555, p < 0.001), with parenting stress emerging as a significant predictor of parental burnout (β = 0.550, t = 14.445, p < 0.001). This association remained robust even after controlling for demographic factors, including parents' gender, birth order, educational background, and family income. Further analysis revealed that parents' gender and birth order had significant effects on burnout levels, with female parents and parents of only children reporting higher levels of burnout. These findings support the theoretical hypothesis that parenting stress is a crucial antecedent of parental burnout, highlighting the depletion effect of parenting stress on parental emotional exhaustion in cultural contexts that emphasize family responsibility and children's achievements. The study's conclusions provide empirical evidence for understanding the formation mechanisms of parental burnout and offer insights for future targeted family interventions and support strategies.