High levels of stress in the parenting domain can lead to parental burnout, a condition that has severe consequences for both parents and children. It is not yet clear, however, whether parental burnout varies by culture, and if so, why it might do so. In this study, we examined the prevalence of parental burnout in 42 countries (17,409 parents; 71% mothers; M age = 39.20) and showed that the prevalence of parental burnout varies dramatically across countries. Analyses of cultural values revealed that individualistic cultures, in particular, displayed a noticeably higher prevalence and mean level of parental burnout. Indeed, individualism plays a larger role in parental burnout than either economic inequalities across countries, or any other individual and family characteristic examined so far, including the number and age of children and the number of hours spent with them. These results suggest that cultural values in Western countries may put parents under heightened levels of stress.

In Western countries, recent decades have witnessed a revolution toward gender equality. Inequalities have been greatly reduced in areas such as education or employment. Because inequalities lead to distress, this development has largely benefited women. One notable exception is the realm of parenting, which has remained rife with inequalities even in the most egalitarian countries. We hypothesized that experiencing inequality in parenting when one holds egalitarian values and raising a child in a country characterized by a high level of gender equality in other areas, increases mothers’ psychological distress in the specific area of parenting. Multilevel modeling analyses computed among 11,538 mothers from 40 countries confirmed this prediction: high egalitarian values at the individual level and high gender equality at the societal level are associated with higher burnout levels in mothers. The associations hold beyond differences in sociodemographic characteristics at the individual level and beyond economic disparities at the societal level. These findings show the importance of egalitarian values and gender equality and their paradoxical effect when inequalities are still present in specific areas as parenting. This study reveals the crucial need to act not only at the micro level but also at the macro level to promote gender equality in parenting and prevent parental burnout.

Purpose The prevalence of parental burnout, a condition that has severe consequences for both parents and children, varies dramatically across countries and is highest in Western countries characterized by high individualism. Method In this study, we examined the mediators of the relationship between individualism measured at the country level and parental burnout measured at the individual level in 36 countries (16,059 parents). Results The results revealed three mediating mechanisms, that is, self-discrepancies between socially prescribed and actual parental selves, high agency and self-directed socialization goals, and low parental task sharing, by which individualism leads to an increased risk of burnout among parents. Conclusion The results confirm that the three mediators under consideration are all involved, and that mediation was higher for self-discrepancies between socially prescribed and actual parental selves, then parental task sharing, and lastly self-directed socialization goals. The results provide some important indications of how to prevent parental burnout at the societal level in Western countries.

Purpose The prevalence of parental burnout, a condition that has severe consequences for both parents and children, varies dramatically across countries and is highest in Western countries characterized by high individualism. Method In this study, we examined the mediators of the relationship between individualism measured at the country level and parental burnout measured at the individual level in 36 countries (16,059 parents). ResultsThe results revealed three mediating mechanisms, that is, self-discrepancies between socially prescribed and actual parental selves, high agency and self-directed socialization goals, and low parental task sharing, by which individualism leads to an increased risk of burnout among parents. ConclusionThe results confirm that the three mediators under consideration are all involved, and that mediation was higher for self-discrepancies between socially prescribed and actual parental selves, then parental task sharing, and lastly selfdirected socialization goals. The results provide some important indications of how to prevent parental burnout at the societal level in Western countries.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the confirmed viral pathogen of COVID-19, a pandemic originated from Wuhan, China at the end of 2019. Since then, SARS-CoV-2 has rapidly spread across the globe with over 8 million confirmed cases and more than 430.000 deaths worldwide as of mid-June 2020. Similar to other strains of coronavirus, the envelope of SARS-CoV-2 comprises of three structural proteins: S protein (spike), E protein (envelope) and M glycoprotein (membrane). SARS-CoV-2 capsids are spherical or pleomorphic. Each capsid contains a positive-sense single-stranded RNA (+ssRNA-Class IV-Baltimore) associated with nucleoprotein N. The viral RNA genome is approximately 30 kb in length and contains 14 open reading frames (ORFs). The binding affinity of the viral S protein to the ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) receptor facilitates the attachment of SARS-CoV-2 to human epithelial cells. Upon binding, SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is cleaved and activated by TMPRSS2 (transmembrane protease, serine 2) or by cathepsin L at the cleavage site S2', and also by furin at the cleavage site S1/S2. The furin cleavage motif RR_R is a notable feature, firstly found in SARS-CoV-2 S protein, which may increase virus transmission rate. This feature and many others might result from several evolution events in SARS-CoV-2 genome. These events could occur when coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, spread from one host to another. They can be causative to high virulence and transmission rate of future coronavirus strains, which may require the development of newer vaccine generations. To understand of SARS-CoV-2’s structure, infection mechanism, diagnosis, treatment, and vaccine development strategies, a review of current literature is of highly importance to disease control in Vietnam.