A Cross-Sectional Study of Child Problem Behaviors and Parental Burnout in Parents of Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders

This study aimed to explore the relationship between parental burnout and child problem behaviors, focusing on the mediating role of parent-child relationship and the moderating role of family resilience among parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). A cross-sectional study was conducted with convenience sampling, recruiting parents of children diagnosed with NDDs from pediatric and rehabilitation departments in public tertiary hospitals in Changsha City, Hunan Province, China, from December 2023 to July 2024. Data were gathered through structured questionnaires assessing parental burnout, child problem behaviors, parent-child relationship, and family resilience. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, multiple regression, mediation analysis, and moderation analysis. A total of 341 parents participated, primarily with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and developmental delays (DD). Parental burnout positively correlated with child behavior difficulties (r = 0.157, p < 0.01) and parent-child conflict (r = 0.391, p < 0.01), while negatively correlating with child behavior strengths (r=-0.471, p < 0.01), parent-child intimacy (r=-0.487, p < 0.01), and family resilience (r=-0.476, p < 0.01). Multiple regression identified child behavior strengths, parent-child intimacy, and family resilience as significant negative predictors of parental burnout. Mediation and moderation analyses confirmed that parent-child dynamics and family resilience influenced the relationship between child behavior strengths and parental burnout. These findings highlight the complexities of parental burnout among families with NDDs and emphasize the importance of addressing child behaviors, enhancing parent-child relationships, and fostering family resilience in support interventions.