The quest for "perfect parenting" is not only unattainable but also has a rippling effect on both parental and child mental health, according to the results of a new study.
A recent study conducted by The Ohio State University College of Nursing and its Office of the Chief Wellness Officer reveals that the quest for "perfect parenting" is not only unattainable but also has a rippling effect to both parental and child mental health.
In a new report, conducted by The Ohio State University College of Nursing and its Office of the Chief Wellness Officer, researchers surveyed over 700 parents in the U.S. from June 15 to July 28, 2023.
According to the data, 57% of parents acknowledged experiencing burnout, strongly influenced by both internal and external pressures, including self-perceptions of parental efficacy, societal judgments, relationship quality with spouses, and household management.
Data further highlighted a direct correlation between parental burnout and mental health issues in children, such as anxiety, depression, and attention
A reduced frequency of structured activities and increased parental engagement in free play was associated with fewer mental health problems in children.
Kate Gawlik, one of the principal investigators emphasized the deleterious effects of social media and societal expectations on parenting perceptions. “You can look at people on Instagram or you can even just see people walking around, and I always think, ‘How do they do that? How do they seem to always have it all together when I don't?’ " she said in interview with Ohio State University.
The study also found that heightened parental burnout is linked to more severe mental health issues in children, manifesting in increased negative parental behaviors, including verbal and physical reprimands. In response to these findings, the researchers advocated for a shift towards "positive parenting."
“Positive parenting is when you give your children a lot of love and warmth, but you also provide structure and guidance in their life,” Dr. Bernadette Melnyk, vice president for health promotion and chief wellness officer at Ohio State and Helene Fuld Health Trust professor of evidence-based practice at the College of Nursing, said. “You gently teach them consequences of behaviors. So that is a much better goal to shoot for being a positive parent than a perfect parent.”
The report concluded with evidence-based strategies aimed at fostering deeper connections between parents and children, advocating for a reevaluation of parental priorities and emphasizing the importance of self-care to prevent burnout.
The researchers declared no competing interests.