Toward a Possible Reassessment of Causes and Protecting Strategies Underlying the Dynamic of Parental Burnout in Costa Rica

Abstract

Objective. This study aims to reach an initial understanding of some specific cultural characteristics of parental burnout in Costa Rica. The findings stem from analyzing specific family configurations of parental burnout during parenting. Method. An intentional sample of 146 mothers and 102 fathers (n= 248, mean age 37) was selected. They completed a questionnaire regarding socio-demographics, Parental burnout assessment, Gender roles, Independent-interdependent Self, Involvement in parental function and duties, and the Parental goals and values. Results. there is a low prevalence of parental burnout and an average level of individualism in parenting. Although the study failed to identify high degrees of parental burnout in the Costa Rican sampled parents, which tend to be rather moderate or low in comparison with other countries, there seems to be an initial tendency of some type of family toward increasing burnout as well as noteworthy traits of familial dynamics that might function as mitigating or even protective factors against parental burnout.