Researchers have delved into the complexities of parental burnout across different cultural contexts, revealing a striking link between individualism and the phenomenon of parental burnout. A groundbreaking study by psychologist Isabelle Roskam of the University of Louvain in Belgium, published on March 18 in Affective Science, highlights how individualistic societies tend to report higher levels of parental stress. This research, the first of its kind, compares burnout rates between Western and non-Western countries, offering new insights into the pressures faced by parents globally.
Charlotte Faircloth, an anthropologist and sociologist at University College London, counters that researchers can now scrutinize what is happening within countries. The study involved a comprehensive survey where parents answered demographic questions and completed a 23-question parental burnout assessment. Items on this assessment included statements like “I feel completely run down by my role as a parent” and “I do not enjoy being with my children.” The responses were scored from zero to six, with parents scoring 92 or more identified as experiencing burnout.
Frank Furedi, a sociologist from the University of Kent in Canterbury, England, expressed concerns over the cultural relevance of certain terms used in the assessment, suggesting they might not resonate with parents in non-Western countries. He argues for a more culturally neutral approach, stating that more neutral questions could better capture the essence of parental experiences globally.
“This study projects a [Western] imagination onto the rest of the world.” – Frank Furedi
Roskam's team used Hofstede Insights’ individualism score to evaluate parental burnout across different countries. In highly individualistic nations like the United States, with an individualism score of 91, about 8 percent of parents reported burnout. In contrast, countries scoring 20 or below on the individualism scale, such as Pakistan, Ecuador, and China, reported burnout rates below 2 percent. The study found no significant link between other social factors, such as parental workload or time spent with children, and burnout.
Roskam's personal experience as a mother of five inspired her to investigate parental burnout creatively. Her findings suggest that individualism plays a pivotal role in shaping parental experiences, overshadowing other potential stressors.
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