Parental burnout as a mediator between fathers’ parenting stress and preschoolers’ emotional-behavioral problems: an urban-rural comparative study

This study examined the mediating role of fathers’ parental burnout in the relationship between fathers’ parenting stress and preschoolers’ emotional-behavioral problems. Additionally, it investigated whether residential location (urban vs. rural) moderates this mediated relationship. A total of 801 fathers of preschool-aged children from urban and rural areas in China participated in the study. Participants completed the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form, the Parental Burnout Assessment, and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Structural equation modeling was employed to test the mediation model, and multi-group analyses were conducted to assess moderation by residential location. Fathers’ parenting stress positively predicted parental burnout and children’s emotional-behavioral problems. Parental burnout partially mediated the relationship between parenting stress and children’s emotional-behavioral problems. Multi-group analyses revealed that residential location moderated the pathways in the mediation model. Specifically, the effect of parenting stress on parental burnout was stronger among urban fathers, while the relationship between parental burnout and children’s emotional-behavioral problems was significant among rural fathers but not urban fathers. The direct effect of parenting stress on children’s emotional-behavioral problems remained consistent across both settings. The findings indicate that fathers’ parental burnout partially mediates the association between parenting stress and preschoolers’ emotional-behavioral problems, with residential location moderating specific pathways within the model. Interventions aiming to reduce fathers’ parenting stress and burnout, particularly in rural areas, may be helpful in reducing children’s emotional and behavioral issues. These results underscore the importance of considering contextual factors in developing support strategies for families.