A1 Journal article (refereed)
Self-Esteem, Socially Prescribed Perfectionism, and Parental Burnout (2023)

Raudasoja, M., Sorkkila, M., & Aunola, K. (2023). Self-Esteem, Socially Prescribed Perfectionism, and Parental Burnout. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 32(4), 1113-1120. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-022-02324-y

JYU authors or editors

Raudasoja, Mirjam
Sorkkila, Matilda
Aunola, Kaisa

Publication details

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

Journal or series: Journal of Child and Family Studies

ISSN: 1062-1024

eISSN: 1573-2843

Publication year: 2023

Publication date: 05/05/2022

Volume: 32

Issue number: 4

Pages range: 1113-1120

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-022-02324-y

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/80941

Abstract

Socially prescribed perfectionism (SPP) has been shown to be a risk factor for parental burnout (Sorkkila & Aunola, 2020). In the present study, we investigated the moderating role of self-esteem in this association. A total of 479 Finnish mothers of infants filled in questionnaires measuring their self-esteem, SPP, and symptoms of parental burnout. The results of structural equation modelling (SEM) showed that mothers’ self-esteem moderated the effect of SPP on parental burnout: Mothers with high self-esteem were at lower risk of showing burnout symptoms even when SPP co-occurred, whereas for mothers with low self-esteem, the effect of SPP on burnout symptoms was further strengthened. The results can be applied when aiming to improve maternal well-being by recognizing the risk factors of parental burnout and by offering counseling for parents at high risk.

Keywords: parents; parenthood; mothers; maternity; self-esteem; self-confidence; self image; managing; mental well-being; exhaustion; risk factors; perfectionism; social control