7 Myths About Parental Burnout
All of us parents know that parenthood is both a joyful and a challenging experience, and that we can feel totally stressed out at times. But what happens if you experience too much stress, for too long, and don’t have the resources to cope with it? That’s when we can develop something called ‘parental burnout’ – when chronic parenting stress leaves us feeling exhausted, disconnected from our children and not being the parent we’d like to be (1).
The term ‘parental burnout’ has been around since the 1980s but there wasn’t any significant research into it until the last few years and that takes time to tickle down into the public conscience. So, despite it being a relatively common condition (5% of parents worldwide are suffering from burnout) (2), it’s not yet widely talked about or understood.
Given how distressing parental burnout can be for both parents and children, it’s really important that we raise awareness of it. A great place to start is Dr. Ana Aznar’s helpful overview article, and in this article, we’re going to bust some of the most common myths about parental burnout.
Myth #1: It Only Affects Mothers
The most common myth is that parental burnout only affects mothers, but that’s absolutely not the case – there’s a reason we call it ‘parental’ and not ‘maternal burnout’. Mothers might be most at risk as they often have the most contact with children and carry a disproportionate amount of the mental load, but fathers can, and do, burn out too.
In fact, some studies suggest that fathers may be even more vulnerable to parental burnout (3), perhaps because traditional gender roles have left fathers less prepared for the challenges of childcare and men may feel less able to seek emotional and practical support. Research also suggests that the consequences of parental burnout, such as withdrawing from your child or having escape fantasies, are also found to be more severe in fathers than in mothers.
Myth #2: It Only Affects Parents with Young Children
While it can be exhausting to be frequently managing tantrums, picky eating, and sleepless nights, parental burnout doesn’t just affect parents of young children – it can happen at any stage of parenting when a parent’s coping resources aren’t enough to cover the stress they’re under.
Parents of older children can be under just as much stress when their hands on, physical care isn’t needed. The tasks of parenthood change as children grow – parents of teens are dealing with more emotional and psychological challenges like mood swings, peer difficulties, risky behavior, and school issues. Not surprisingly, parents of older children and teens report feeling more emotional than physical forms of burnout.
Myth #3: It Only Affects Parents of Children with Special Needs
While it’s true that having a child with special needs is a risk factor for increased parental stress and burnout, no single risk factor is enough to trigger burnout on its own. Often, the most impactful risk factors have more to do with the parent or family system than the children such as parental perfectionism, difficulties with emotional regulation, lack of social support or household disorganization.
And this is good news – these are factors that are likely to be much more amenable to change and can be addressed with a therapist or coach.
Myth #4: It’s Not Real; It’s Just ‘Millennial Snowflakes’ Complaining
Millennials didn’t invent the term “parental burnout”. In fact, the earliest book I’ve read on parental burnout is from 1983; a time when the oldest millennials were just babies.
It’s likely that we’re hearing the term now because of two things – arguably the pressures on parents have increased in the last 40 years as the dominant parenting culture has become more ‘child-centred, expert-guided, emotionally absorbing, labour-intensive and financially expensive’ (4) which has made parental burnout more common.
And secondly, because we’re more aware of, and open to talking about, emotional and mental health than we were in previous generations. The stigma around talking about parental burnout really declined during the Covid-19 lockdowns when most parents felt exhausted by parenthood. One silver lining of that time was that the research literature on parental burnout rapidly grew with so many of us experiencing parental burnout and that will hopefully lead to better support for parents in future.
Myth #5: It Only Affects Single Parents
As we discovered with Myth #3, a single risk factor isn’t enough to cause parental burnout. It’s about the balance of stressors and resources you have. Not having a co-parenting partner is definitely a challenge, but that doesn’t mean having a co-parent makes life easier. In fact, in one study, single mothers were found to be less emotionally exhausted than partnered mothers who rated their partner as unavailable or only moderately available (5).
Single parents can be more vulnerable to burnout, not purely because of their single status, but because they are more likely to experience related risk factors such as lack of downtime, less financial security, and increased mental load. However, a single parent with a good support system and coping strategies is not necessarily more likely to burn out than a parent with a co-parenting partner.
Myth #6: It’s More Common in Disadvantaged Parents
We commonly see social and economic disadvantage as a causal factor in many mental health conditions but that’s not what we find with parental burnout. On the contrary, research shows that it tends to happen more in well-educated, affluent families (6).
We need more research to fully understand why this is the case. It might be related to personality traits – these parents could be more achievement-focused and perfectionistic, putting undue pressure on themselves and their children, or being hyper-aware of all the parenting advice and trying to execute it perfectly. Or it could be that these families are more likely to have moved away from their families of origin and hometowns for work and are more isolated.
Myth #7: It’s More Common in Parents Who Work Long Hours
Perhaps you thought about those affluent parents and wondered whether they’re more stressed because they work long hours. But this might surprise you – parents who work part-time or stay at home are actually more likely to burn out than those who work full-time (1).
These parents often spend more time with their children and take on more of the parental responsibilities, which means they’re more exposed to the stressors of childcare and less exposed to the rewards of work – like accomplishment, adult company, and financial independence. Their balance of stressors and resources is therefore more likely to be unbalanced, and their risk of developing parental burnout increased.
Conclusion
Parental burnout doesn’t fit neatly into one box – there’s no single “type” of burned out parent or a specific risk factor that causes burnout. Any parent can experience burnout if they face more stress than they have the resources to cope with. It’s not a personal failing.
The good news? Burnout can be managed. By addressing the balance between stressors and resources, research shows that the symptoms of parental burnout can improve, along with the associated stress hormone levels (7). So, if you’re feeling exhausted and overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or a professional and get the support you need so you can get back to enjoying family life.
About the Author
Dr. Katy Hill is a clinical psychologist with over 20 years’ experience of working across a variety of different NHS and university psychology departments. She was the first UK clinical psychologist to qualify as a certified parental burnout practitioner with the Training Institute of Parental Burnout in 2022. As a mum of three herself, Dr. Katy is passionate about supporting parents to reduce their stress levels, manage difficult emotions and improve relationships with their children, and themselves. You can find her at www.drkatyhill.com or on Instagram @theparentalstresspsychologist.
References
(1) Mikolajczak, M., Aunola, K., Sorkkila, M., & Roskam, I. (2023). 15 years of parental burnout research: Systematic review and agenda. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 32(4), 276-283.https://doi.org/10.1177/09637214221142777
(2) Roskam, I., & Mikolajczak, M. (2021). The slippery slope of parental exhaustion: A process model of parental burnout. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 77, 101354.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2021.101354
(3) Roskam, I., & Mikolajczak, M. (2020). Gender differences in the nature, antecedents and consequences of parental burnout. Sex Roles, 83(7), 485-498. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-020-01121-5
(4) Hays, S. (1998). The fallacious assumptions and unrealistic prescriptions of attachment theory: A comment on” Parents’ Socioemotional Investment in Children”. Journal of Marriage and Family, 60(3), 782-790. https://doi.org/10.2307/353546
(5) Lebert-Charron, A., Dorard, G., Wendland, J., & Boujut, E. (2021). Who are and are not the burnout moms? A cluster analysis study of French-speaking mothers. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, 4, 100091. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadr.2021.100091
(6) Mikolajczak, M., Brianda, M. E., Avalosse, H., & Roskam, I. (2018). Consequences of parental burnout: Its specific effect on child neglect and violence. Child abuse & neglect, 80, 134-145.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.03.025
(7) Brianda, M. E., Roskam, I., & Mikolajczak, M. (2020). Hair cortisol concentration as a biomarker of parental burnout. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 117, 104681.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.104681
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Hydraulic pumps are vital components in a plethora of systems, both industrial and domestic, where they ensure the circulation of liquids and gases. However, when these pumps experience an imbalance, it can lead to a myriad of issues, including excessive vibration, increased noise, diminished efficiency, and, ultimately, unnecessary wear and tear on key components. This article delves into the concept of pump balancing, the implications of imbalance, and effective strategies to maintain optimal functionality through balancing techniques.
Understanding pump imbalance is crucial. This condition arises when the mass of the rotating parts, such as the impeller and shaft, is unevenly distributed concerning the axis of rotation. The result is a centrifugal force that induces vibrations during the pump's operation. Factors contributing to pump imbalance are diverse. Manufacturing inaccuracies, even slight deviations in the geometry of pump components, can trigger this condition. Moreover, wear and damage from prolonged usage, corrosion, cavitation, or mechanical impacts can alter the mass of these rotating parts, further exacerbating the instability. Incorrect assembly or repairs can also lead to significant imbalances.
The repercussions of pump imbalance are not trivial. The disturbances can lead to increased noise levels and unwanted vibrations, creating an uncomfortable working environment and potentially damaging the pump, the piping, and other system elements. The heightened vibrations result in accelerated wear on bearings and seals, promoting their premature failure. Furthermore, imbalances can lead to reduced operational efficiency, causing the pump to underperform and consume more energy. In extreme situations, the consequences can be dire, resulting in catastrophic failures such as shaft breakage or impeller destruction, leading to severe operational hazards.
To combat pump imbalance, pump balancing is an essential corrective measure. This process involves adding or removing corrective weights on the impeller or shaft to counteract the forces causing the imbalance. By doing so, the procedure effectively reduces vibrations and noise, enhances operational efficiency, and extends the lifespan of the pump. Balancing can be executed in specialized workshops using dedicated balancing machines, or conveniently on-site with portable balancing tools like the "Balanset-1A" device.
On-site balancing, particularly with a portable balancer such as "Balanset-1A," offers a multitude of advantages. It eliminates the need for disassembling and reassembling pumps, thus saving both time and costs. Additionally, it minimizes equipment downtime and allows for immediate rectification of imbalances as soon as vibrations are detected, leading to high balancing accuracy.
The balancing process using the "Balanset-1A" device is systematic and straightforward. Initially, vibration sensors are affixed to the pump housing close to the bearings, oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation. A reflective marker is then placed on the pump shaft or pulley, with the tachometer mounted to direct its laser beam toward this marker. Once connected to the "Balanset-1A," which interfaces with a laptop, the user launches the designated balancing software to initiate the procedure.
The first measurement is critical; it involves selecting the single-plane balancing mode within the software, weighing calibration weights, and entering these parameters into the program. After starting the pump and measuring the initial vibration levels, the operator installs the calibration weight on the impeller and restarts the pump for subsequent vibration assessments. Data obtained is critical to determining the necessary corrective weight and its optimal installation location. The corrective weight is then affixed to the impeller based on the software’s calculated recommendations. Final verification of the balancing process includes measuring vibration levels post-correction to ensure compliance with acceptable limits.
The "Balanset-1A" stands out as a reliable partner in this crucial balancing endeavor. This portable balancer and vibration analyzer is highly versatile and designed for ease of use, even for individuals lacking specialized training in vibration analysis. Its portability allows for convenient transportation and on-site application while maintaining high accuracy in measurements. Additionally, its multifunctionality enables not only balancing capabilities but also comprehensive vibration analysis and equipment diagnostics. The affordable pricing makes professional balancing services accessible to a broad user base.
The device's technical capabilities elevate it as a top choice for pump balancing. It showcases a wide range of operational specifications, such as measuring RMS vibration velocities from 0.02 to 80 mm/s, and covering frequency ranges from 5 to 550 Hz. The Balanset-1A can accommodate up to two correction planes and handles rotations speeds from 100 to 100,000 RPM, ensuring its adaptability across various pump configurations. The package comes equipped with all necessary components, including vibration sensors and an optical sensor with magnetic mounting, further enhancing its practical usability.
The benefits of balancing with the Balanset-1A are immense. The reduction in maintenance and repair costs is immediate, as balanced pumps experience less wear and tear on critical components. Increased pump efficiency due to lower vibrations leads to better overall system performance and longevity. Furthermore, improved working conditions arise as noise and vibration levels drop, fostering a safer and more pleasant environment for personnel involved. Ultimately, on-site pump balancing translates to significant time and financial savings; eliminating the need for complex disassemblies or lengthy repairs.
Regular pump balancing cannot be overstated. It is particularly advisable after periods of intense usage, repairs, or the emergence of symptoms such as increased noise or vibrations. By instituting a routine balancing schedule, operators can maintain pump integrity and circumvent the risk of costly breakdowns.
In conclusion, pump balancing is a fundamental procedure integral to ensuring the effective and reliable operation of hydraulic pumps. Portable balancers, such as the "Balanset-1A," empower users to efficiently address imbalances at the operational site, preserving resources while enhancing performance and reliability. Equip yourself with this powerful tool and embrace the routine of pump balancing to secure the long-term success of your hydraulic systems.