Burnout in parents of sick children and its risk factors: a literature review

Abstract

Aim. The aim of the review is to analyze burnout in parents who provide care for children with various physical and psychosocial diseases and disabilities using available literature sources, and, subsequently, to assess the factors that increase the risk of burnout. Design: A literature review. Methods: Content analysis of research published in the years 1/2004-12/2018 in electronic databases (Pubmed, Scopus, Science Direct, and EBSCO) was applied. Following application of the selection criteria, 14 surveys were included in the final analysis. Results: The studies integrated into the review show considerable methodological variation (i.e., different types of tools used to assess burnout, different respondent selection) and differences in the presentation of results. The analysis of the results indicates that caring for sick children is a risk factor for parent burnout. Burnout intensity is probably influenced more by parents' subjective perception of childrenʼs diseases than the objective nature of the diseases (e.g., degree of disability, duration of disease, disease compensation). However, having a sick child is only one of many predictors of parent burnout. Some research suggests that social support, personality traits of parents, or how effectively family and partner relationships function can be more significant factors predisposing parents to burnout. Conclusion: Parental burnout is an area requiring attention from nurses in view of the potential negative impact on the health of both parents and children.

Support needs around the time of diagnosis of parents caring for an infant with visual impairment or blindness in Denmark: a qualitative study

“…The number of appointments at hospitals and home was demanding for many families and put a strain on the family. Caring for a sick child is associated with extra activities beyond those involved in caring for a healthy child—extra activities that can represent a potential source of stress and burden 1 2 12 18 19. Additionally, we found that parents felt they held a large share of the responsibility for coordinating appointments and bringing messages from one sector to another.…”

From Burnout to Parental Burnout: How Does Caregiving Become a Burden?

“…Usually, family members adopt the role of looking after sick individuals, and their responsibilities can become more challenging, especially if they have additional duties such as parenting (Mrosková et al 2020). The studies indicated that parents looking after sick children and managing their needs described their caregiving experience as burdensome (Weiss andLunsky 2011, Kobos et al 2017).…”

Parental burnout among Somali mothers: Associations with mental health, perceived social support, and sociodemographic factors

“…Other associated factors are being a woman, being a young mother, being a single parent, or having many children [ 14 ]. Other research indicates that sociodemographic factors are less predictive of parental burnout [ 15 – 17 ]. However, recent research concludes that being a mother is a risk factor for parental burnout, and mothers are more vulnerable to this condition in contrast to fathers [ 5 , 6 , 18 , 19 ].…”