A1 Journal article (refereed)
Burned-out Fathers and Untold Stories : Mixed Methods Investigation of the Demands and Resources of Finnish Fathers (2022)

Sorkkila, M., & Aunola, K. (2022). Burned-out Fathers and Untold Stories : Mixed Methods Investigation of the Demands and Resources of Finnish Fathers. Family Journal, 30(4), 611-620. https://doi.org/10.1177/10664807211052477

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Sorkkila, Matilda; Aunola, Kaisa

Journal or series: Family Journal

ISSN: 1066-4807

eISSN: 1552-3950

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 28/10/2021

Volume: 30

Issue number: 4

Pages range: 611-620

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/10664807211052477

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/78458

Abstract

Although parental burnout has been acknowledged as a unique psychological condition that can have serious consequences to families, most research so far has been conducted with mothers. The present study investigated how the descriptions of parenting-related demands and resources differ between burned-out and non-burned-out fathers. Furthermore, we examined what kinds of support or services fathers need to increase their wellbeing as parents. The participants were 10 fathers with the highest level of parental burnout symptoms, and 14 fathers with the lowest level of parental burnout symptom, out of 158 fathers who answered the questionnaire. The qualitative open-ended answers were analyzed using hierarchical thematic analysis and the accounts of the burned-out and non-burned-out fathers were compared. Furthermore, quantitative answers regarding parenting-related stress-factors were compared between the two groups. The results showed that burned-out fathers experienced more parenting-related demands than the non-burned-out fathers and reported needing financial, practical, and social support. Compared to non-burned-out fathers, the burned-out fathers reported more often being dissatisfied with the society, having difficulties integrating work and family life, and being strained by everyday life with children. The reported resources were similar with both burned-out and non-burned-out fathers and consisted mainly of happiness regarding their children. The results can be used in generating services and support for fathers to increase their wellbeing as parents.

Keywords: exhaustion; parents; parenthood; fathers; paternity; children (age groups); working life; family life; parent-child relationship; resources; supporting; forms of support; social support

Free keywords: burnout symptoms; fathering; thematic analysis; work-family balance

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Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2022

Preliminary JUFO rating: 1