Parenting Stress and Job Burnout Among Working Mothers in Darbhanga: A Correlational Study

The present study examines the relationship between parenting stress and job burnout among working mothers in Darbhanga, a semi-urban district in North Bihar. A sample of 90 employed mothers participated in the study and completed the Parental Stress Scale (PSS) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS). Descriptive results indicated moderate to high levels of parenting stress and burnout across the sample. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between parenting stress and emotional exhaustion (r = .61, p < .001), depersonalisation (r = .42, p < .001), and overall burnout (r = .58, p < .001), along with a significant negative association with personal accomplishment (r = −.36, p < .001). Additional analyses showed that private-sector employees reported higher stress and emotional exhaustion than government employees, while mothers with greater perceived family support demonstrated lower stress and burnout levels. The findings highlight the psychological challenges experienced by working mothers as they navigate dual responsibilities in both work and home domains. The study underscores the need for supportive workplace policies, equitable domestic labour distribution and accessible mental health resources to reduce stress and burnout among working mothers in similar socio-cultural contexts.