TTLV.Parental burnout in parents of children aged 2 to 10 years

MASTER'S THESIS INFORMATION

1. Student's full name:Nguyen Thi Hong Minh 2. Gender: Female

3. Date of birth: 22/06/1985

4. Place of birth: Phu Tho

5. Decision to recognize studentsDecision No. 5410/QD-XHNV dated December 21, 2023, of the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

6. Changes in the training process:

(Note the types of changes and the corresponding times)

7. Thesis Title:Parental burnout among parents with children aged 2 to 10 years old.

8. Major: Psychology Code: 8310401

9. Scientific supervisorAssoc. Prof. Dr. Truong Thi Khanh Ha – Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi. 

10. Summary of the results of the thesis:

The study found that 96.6% of Vietnamese parents did not report burnout, 2.4% were at risk, and 1% were severely burned out – significantly lower than in Belgium (9.8%), the United States (8.9%), and France (6.2%). Mothers (M=13.89) had higher levels of burnout than fathers (M=9.44). Families with economic hardship (M=29.67) were more likely to report burnout than complete families (M=11.58). There were no differences in burnout between groups with different numbers of children. The age of parents and youngest child was inversely correlated with burnout. Parenting consensus explained 21.1% of the variance in parenting burnout, with exposure to conflict being the strongest predictor (β=0.277), followed by coparenting sabotage (β=0.154), while mutual support had a protective effect (β=-0.142). Concern for perfectionism was positively correlated with total burnout scores (r=0.161), especially with conflict with ideal parenting (β=0.126). Striving for perfectionism was unrelated to burnout.

- New results and scientific contributions

The study confirmed that the rate of parental burnout in Vietnam is lower than in Western countries, thanks to the multigenerational family structure and unique social support system. No differences in burnout levels were found between families with different numbers of children, suggesting the role of the extended family and the involvement of older siblings in caring for younger siblings as effective compensatory mechanisms.

This is the first study in Vietnam to analyze the relationship between consensus and parenting burnout, identifying conflict and sabotage in parenting as risk factors, while mutual support was an important protective factor. Regarding parental perfectionism, it was not setting high standards but rather anxiety about not meeting them that was associated with burnout, suggesting that interventions should focus on reducing anxiety and increasing tolerance of imperfection.

11. Practical applications:

- Use the PBA tool to assess burnout levels in high-risk groups such as mothers, economically disadvantaged families, young parents, and parents with young children.

- Develop focused couple/family counseling programs to minimize parental conflict, enhance mutual support, reduce destructive parenting behaviors, and train communication and conflict resolution skills.

- Interventions to raise awareness about parenting roles, developing programs to reduce pressure for perfection, enhance self-compassion, and set realistic expectations that align with available resources.

- Develop public policies including parent education programs, psychological counseling services, and financial support policies for disadvantaged families.

12. Further research directions:

- Expand the research scope to include special groups such as single parents, parents of children with disabilities, and parents in rural and mountainous areas.

- Longitudinal studies aim to track the progression of burnout over time.

- Further research into specific cultural factors: multigenerational families, grandparents' involvement in childcare, and cultural mechanisms that help reduce burnout rates.

- Experiment with intervention programs such as improving consensus in parenting, reducing anxiety about perfection, and enhancing acceptance of imperfection.

INFORMATION ON MASTER'S THESIS

1. Full nameNguyen Thi Hong Minh2. Gender: Female

3. Date of birth: June 22, 19854. Place of birthPhu Tho

5. Admission decision number: 5410/QD-XHNV dated December 21, 2023 of the President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi....

6. Changes in academic process:

7. Official thesis title: Parental Burnout in Parents of Children Aged 2 to 10 Years

8. Major: Psychology Code: 8310401

9. Supervisors:Assoc. Prof. Dr. Truong Thi Khanh Ha – Department of Psychology, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi

10. Summary of the findings of the thesis:

The study revealed that 96.6% of Vietnamese parents show no signs of Parental Burnout (PB), 2.4% are at risk, and 1% experience severe burnout—significantly lower than rates in Belgium (9.8%), the United States (8.9%), and France (6.2%). Mothers (M=13.89) demonstrated higher burnout levels than fathers (M=9.44). Families with financial difficulties (M=29.67) exhibits greater risk of burnout compared to financially stable families (M=11.58). No significant differences in burnout levels were found among parents with varying numbers of children. Both parent age and youngest child age showed negative correlations with Exhaustion in parental role (EX). Co-parenting Relationship Scale (CRS) factors explained 21.1% of variance in Parental Burnout (PB), with Exposure to conflict (EC) being the strongest predictor (β=0.277), followed by Co-parenting undermining (CU) behaviors (β=0.154), while Co-parenting support (CS) served as a protective factor (β=-0.142). Perfection Concern (PC) positively correlated with total burnout scores (r=0.161), particularly with Contrast in parental self (CO) (β=0.126). Perfection Striving (PS) showed no significant relationship with burnout.

- Novel Findings and Scientific Contributions

The research confirms that Parental Burnout (PB) rates in Vietnam are lower than in Western countries, attributed to multigenerational family structures and distinctive social support systems. The absence of significant differences in burnout levels among families with different numbers of children suggests the effectiveness of extended family involvement and older siblings' participation in childcare as compensatory mechanisms in line with the Balance Between Risks and Resources (BR²) theory.

This represents the first study in Vietnam to analyze in detail the relationship between Co-parenting Relationship Scale (CRS) factors and Parental Burnout (PB), identifying Exposure to conflict (EC) and Co-parenting undermining (CU) as risk factors, while Co-parenting support (CS) serves as a crucial protective element. Regarding Parenting Perfectionism Scale (PPS), the findings indicate that Perfection Concern (PC), rather than Perfection Striving (PS), is associated with burnout, particularly feelings of Contrast in parental self (CO). This suggests interventions should focus on reducing anxiety and increasing acceptance of imperfection rather than modifying parental standards.

11. Practical applicability:

- Implement the Parental Burnout Assessment (PBA) in high-risk cohorts (mothers, low-income families, young parents, caregivers of infants).

- Offer couple-/family-based counseling to curb inter-parental conflict, bolster mutual support, and teach communication and problem-solving.

- Introduce cognitive programs that temper perfectionism, foster self-compassion, and align expectations with available resources.

- Promote public policies delivering parent-education curriculum, accessible psychological services, and financial aid for disadvantaged households.

12. Further research directions:

-Broaden samples to single parents, caregivers of disabled children, and rural or mountainous populations.

- Employ longitudinal designs to chart burnout trajectories.

- Investigate cultural moderators (eg, multigenerational households, grandparental care).

- Rigorously test interventions that enhance co-parenting cohesion, ease perfectionism-related anxiety, and normalize acceptance of imperfection.