A study examined factors contributing to parental burnout among 528 Chinese parents of children with developmental disabilities. Researchers focused on socio-demographic traits, Big Five personality traits, and parenting perfectionism. Participants completed questionnaires to assess these areas, and the analysis utilized generalized linear models (GLM) and generalized additive models (GAM) to explore both linear and nonlinear relationships.

GAM proved more effective than GLM in identifying complex associations. Significant nonlinear relationships were found between parental burnout and predictors such as age, education, income, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism, and parenting perfectionism. The study highlighted that certain personality traits and parenting perfectionism interact to influence burnout levels. For instance, high levels of neuroticism combined with high perfectionistic concerns markedly increased burnout risk.

The findings emphasize the importance of considering nonlinear and interactive effects when assessing parental burnout, particularly in non-Western contexts.