A decade of research on parenthood regret

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dc.abstract.enRegret is a universal emotion, yet regretting the decision to become a parent remains a profound cultural taboo. Recent evidence establishes parenthood regret as a distinct phenomenon driven by counterfactual thinking. This review synthesizes a decade of research, revealing that the inherent irreversibility of the parental role makes this regret uniquely maladaptive, leading to a chronic psychological burden. Emphasizing the implications of these findings, we highlight how understanding parenthood regret can inform clinical interventions, shape social policies regarding declining fertility, and foster a more authentic public discourse. Recognizing this experience does not diminish the value of family life but provides a necessary window into how life-defining decisions and counterfactual thought reshape human identity.
dc.affiliationCentrum Badań nad Rozwojem Osobowości
dc.affiliationWydział Psychologii i Prawa w Poznaniu
dc.contributor.authorPiotrowski, Konrad
dc.contributor.authorRoskam, Isabelle
dc.contributor.authorMikolajczak, Moïra
dc.date.access2026-11-05
dc.date.accessioned2026-11-05T08:58:43Z
dc.date.available2026-11-05T08:58:43Z
dc.date.created2026-02-09
dc.date.issued2026-03-11
dc.description.accesstimeafter_publication
dc.description.grantnumber2021/42/E/HS6/00120
dc.description.granttitleParental burnout in the first years of the parenting role. What does it depend on, how does it develop and what are its consequences?
dc.description.issue11
dc.description.physical1021-1032
dc.description.sdgGoodHealthAndWellBeing
dc.description.sdgGenderEquality
dc.description.sdgReducedInequalities
dc.description.versionfinal_published
dc.description.volume30
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.tics.2026.02.004
dc.identifier.issn1364-6613
dc.identifier.urihttps://share.swps.edu.pl/handle/swps/2730
dc.languageen
dc.pbn.affiliationpsychologia
dc.rightsClosedAccess
dc.rights.explanationartykuł płatny
dc.rights.questionNo_rights
dc.share.articleOTHER
dc.subject.enparenthood regret
dc.subject.encounterfactual thinking
dc.subject.enself-conscious emotions
dc.subject.en21 parental identity
dc.subject.endecision-making
dc.swps.sciencecloudsend
dc.titleA decade of research on parenthood regret
dc.title.journalTrends in Cognitive Sciences
dc.typeJournalArticle
dspace.entity.typeArticle