CHARACTERISTICS OF PARENTAL BURNOUT IN FAMILIES OF CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
CHARACTERISTICS OF PARENTAL BURNOUT IN FAMILIES OF CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Summary/Abstract: Burnout syndrome is a phenomenon that, in addition to occurring in the occupational domain, may also manifest within the family environment. When it occurs in parents as a result of the complex demands associated with the parental role, it is referred to as parental burnout syndrome. Parents of children with developmental disabilities are at a particularly high risk of experiencing parental burnout. This review paper identified several of the most significant risk factors contributing to the development of parental burnout among parents of children with developmental disabilities, including parental characteristics, perceived caregiver burden, the child’s behavioral characteristics, the quality of partner relationships, and the family’s socioeconomic status. Parents who perceive their child’s disability as severe experience their caregiving role as more burdensome and report higher levels of stress. This is particularly pronounced when the child exhibits maladaptive, unpredictable, or violent forms of behavior. On the other hand, there is an unequal distribution of responsibilities between partners, with mothers bearing a greater caregiving burden, which may lead to verbal and physical conflicts between partners. Mothers also more frequently give up on employment in order to care for their child, which simultaneously increases the likelihood of them developing parental burnout. Families of lower socioeconomic status are at particular risk of burnout because they have fewer resources available for accessing support programs or other forms of medical intervention. Altogether, these factors contribute to an increased likelihood of developing parental burnout. The concluding considerations highlight the consistency of the findings reported in the reviewed studies, as well as recommendations for future research derived from the identified findings.

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