Psychometric Properties of the New Working Parent Burnout Scale

Parental burnout is an underrecognized condition with adverse consequences for parents and children. The objective of this study was to determine the psychometric properties of a new scale, the Working Parent Burnout Scale, and a concurrent one-item assessment.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted. The sample included parents (N = 1,285) living with children < 18 years. Content, face, construct, and predictive validity and reliability were established.

Cronbach α was 0.90 with the elimination of item four on the scale. All factor loadings were > 0.40. The one-factor model was supported by confirmatory factor analysis. The Pearson r correlation was 0.59 for the total score on the original 10-item burnout scale (item 4 excluded) and the one-item assessment.

These are the first known scales to measure working parent burnout. By better identifying parental burnout, preventive and interventional approaches can be initiated to enhance parent and child outcomes.