Personality Traits and Sociodemographic Variables' Effects on Parental Burnout During the Second and Fourth COVID-19 Waves in Italian Parents.

Abstract

(1) Background: Since the COVID-19 pandemic was a source of stress for families, this study aimed to investigate the influence of dispositional factors, such as personality traits and sociodemographic variables, on parental burnout among Italian parents during two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the study assessed personality traits and sociodemographic variables as protective or risk factors for parental burnout levels. (2) Methods: The study consisted of two cross-sectional samples collected during the second and fourth waves of the Italian pandemic. The participants included 600 Italian parents: 245 from the second wave (average age = 37.12, SD = 2.78) and 355 from the fourth wave (average age = 36.89, SD = 3.14). The measures used were the Balance between Risks and Resources, the Personality Inventory, and a sociodemographic questionnaire. (3) Results: The t-test showed that parents in the fourth wave had lower parental burnout levels. Moreover, stepwise multiple linear regression revealed that sociodemographic variables did not have an effect, while significant effects of personality traits were found. Specifically, neuroticism was identified as a risk factor for parental burnout, while agreeableness and openness were identified as protective factors. (4) Conclusions: The findings indicated that similar stress levels were reported between the two waves of parents and that personality traits play a crucial role in facilitating or limiting the management of parental competencies during a risk condition.