Parental burnoutin the first years of parenting: determinants and consequences

Parenting is one of the most important responsibilities in adult life. Previous studies, conducted in the United States and the European Union, indicate that between 93 to 98 percent of adults either already have or would like to have at least one child during their lifetime. Therefore, we can presume that despite an overall decline in fertility rates, which have been recorded in developed countries in recent decades, the desire to have children still appears to be a widespread human need.

Although studies on parenthood confirm that transitioning to parental roles can lead to an increase in maturity, it transpires that parenthood may also prove to be a heavy burden for young people. Undertaking the role of a parent causes severe stress, leads to a decline in self-esteem, and can trigger negative personality changes.

We will carry out two longitudinal studies to examine the factors, which affect the experience and mental health of men and women in the early stages of parenthood. To collect data, we will use standardized psychological questionnaires. This will enable us to conduct a complex, extended, and in-depth analysis of a parental burnout trajectory and help us to examine the factors, which impact this phenomenon during the early years of parenthood. We will apply quantitative analysis, structural equation modeling, and latent growth curve analysis, to analyze data and verify our hypothesis.

Before 2018, there have been no in-depth systematic studies on parental burnout, which is one of the leading consequences of long-term parenting stress. We want to advance the knowledge on this topic by carrying out a thorough examination of the root causes of parental burnout, which are likely to originate in the first months and years of parenting. To fill the research gap, we will focus on people who are embarking on the parenting journey for the very first time.