Factors associated with parental burnout: a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies using the parental burnout assessment

Background Parental burnout (PB) has emerged as a public health concern, with implications for caregiver well-being, family functioning, and adverse parenting outcomes. Since the Parental Burnout Assessment (PBA) was introduced in 2018, PB research has expanded considerably, yet a comprehensive synthesis of risk and protective factors using this tool remains lacking. This study aimed to estimate pooled associations between PB and risk and protective factors and to examine heterogeneity across factor domains and geographic regions. Methods PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, APA PsycINFO, Web of Science Core Collection, and Scopus were searched for studies published between 2018 and 2026. Of 1,561 records, 21 studies measuring PB using the PBA were included in the primary meta-analysis. Risk and protective factors were synthesized using three-level random-effects meta-analyses with cluster-robust inference. Domain-specific and regional analyses were conducted. Results Across 82 effect-size estimates from 21 studies, risk factors showed a positive association with PB (46 effects; β = 0.195, 95% CI [0.146, 0.243]), whereas protective factors showed an inverse association (36 effects; β = -0.216, 95% CI [-0.261, -0.171]). The largest risk-factor associations were observed for mothers’ parenting stress (β = 0.64), expressive suppression (β = 0.41), and parent–adolescent conflict (β = 0.38). The largest protective associations were observed for parents’ coparenting support (β = -0.47), perceived spousal support (β = -0.46), and emotional intelligence (β = -0.38). Regional differences were not statistically significant, and funnel plots showed some possible asymmetry. Heterogeneity was substantial for risk factors (I 2 = 92.8%) and protective factors (I 2 = 86.0%). Conclusions This meta-analysis indicates that PB is associated with psychological vulnerabilities and demanding caregiving environments. Maladaptive cognitive–emotional patterns, parenting stress, and family‑related conflict emerged as key risk factors, while emotional competencies, adaptive emotion regulation, and supportive relational environments were linked to lower burnout. Although the factors examined varied across cultural and regional contexts, regional differences in pooled associations were not statistically significant. These findings suggest that assessment and prevention efforts should consider both parental psychological resources and caregiving demands. Future research should prioritize longitudinal and culturally diverse studies to inform prevention strategies. Registration Not applicable.