Perfectionistic parents are burnt out by hiding emotions from their children, but this effect is attenuated by emotional intelligence

Abstract Studies have revealed that parenting perfectionism, especially the dimension of perfectionistic concerns, is a substantial risk factor for parental burnout, but this association can be buffered by emotional intelligence. Less is known, however, about the underlying mechanism of these observations. This study examined an integrated model consisting of both the indirect path from perfectionistic concerns to parental burnout through expressive suppression, and the moderating effect of emotional intelligence in the association of both perfectionistic concerns and expressive suppression with parental burnout. We investigated this model in a sample of Polish parents (N = 439). The results revealed that emotional intelligence buffered both the positive direct and indirect (through expressive suppression) effects of perfectionistic concerns on parental burnout, therefore supporting the model. In addition to expanding the understanding of the emotional experiences of perfectionistic parents, the present study also provides practical implications for treating and preventing parental burnout.