Trajectories of parental burnout in the first year of the COVID‐19 pandemic

Abstract Objectives The main objective of the study was to identify developmental trajectories of parental burnout during the first year of the COVID‐19 pandemic. The study was designed to assess whether changes in parental burnout were related to levels of perfectionism, sense of parental identity, and COVID‐related stress. Background Parental burnout is a consequence of chronic stress associated with the role of a parent. However, little is still known about how parental burnout changes over time and which factors are responsible for it. Method Parents ( N = 376; 67% women) aged 19 to 30 years ( M = 26.85 years, SD = 2.52) participated in all three waves of a longitudinal study spanning 12 months. Latent class growth analysis (LCGA) was used to determine parental burnout change trajectories. The R3STEP procedure was used to analyze the relationship between developmental trajectories identified and the other variables studied. Results Three different trajectories of parental burnout were identified: high and stable (7%), low and stable (63%), and average and increasing (30%). Trajectories were associated with perfectionistic concerns, a sense of parental identity, and COVID‐related stress. Conclusion The results revealed that most parents did not experience changes in parental burnout during the first year of the pandemic. However, up to one third of parents may have experienced a significant increase in symptoms during the study period. Implications The findings from this study may be applicable to planning support programs for emerging adult parents at risk of burnout.