Parental Burnout: Considering the Role of Nervous System Regulation
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Authors
Penkala, Stephanie
Issue Date
2026-04-27
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
parental burnout , somatic experiencing , nervous system regulation , parenting stress
Alternative Title
Abstract
Parental burnout (PB) is a serious mental health condition affecting both mothers and fathers and which has significant negative consequences for parents and their children. This capstone outlines PB as a distinct concept from job burnout and provides an overview of symptoms, risk factors, consequences, assessment and treatment options. It also considers the etiology and development of this mental health issue from a nervous system and polyvagal lens and includes research that has been conducted on the neurobiological basis and implications of burnout (both generally and PB specifically), and body-based interventions that have a foundation in polyvagal theory to both reduce stress and increase emotional regulation to support a reduction in severity of PB symptoms. Counsellors who can integrate body-based therapeutic techniques and interventions may be able to support clients with PB to have access to more resources to cope with and reduce the chronic stress associated with the parenting role.