---
title: "Psychologist warns of severe family burnout in sandwich generation "
url: https://radiomoldova.md/p/87888/psychologist-warns-of-severe-family-burnout-in-sandwich-generation
published: 2026-10-22T06:00:00Z
language: en
author: "Gabriela Melnic"
section: "Social"
source: radiomoldova.md
---

# Psychologist warns of severe family burnout in sandwich generation 

> Severe family burnout is rising in Moldova as couples face financial stress, unequal household chores, and the burden of caring for multiple generations, psychological counselor Peter-Vlad Ianușevici warned.

![](https://storage.radiomoldova.md/images/d1762df2-9189-42cf-a2bb-683d5c9464c0.jpg)

Severe family burnout is rising in Moldova as couples face financial stress, unequal household chores, and the burden of caring for multiple generations, psychological counselor Peter-Vlad Ianușevici warned.

**Warning signs and the sandwich generation**

Family burnout typically manifests through emotional isolation, frequent conflicts, and communication breakdowns. These issues escalate when partners attempt to carry the entire burden of household responsibilities alone. 

Early warning signs include persistent exhaustion, which eventually affects shared time, mutual communication, and the couple's ability to manage daily disputes. Emotional apathy, sarcasm, diminished intimacy, and repeated disagreements over household duties are critical red flags.

*“Fatigue is normal, but if it becomes a routine, problems arise leading to emotional distancing,”* said Ianușevici during a broadcast on Moldova 1.

The so-called "sandwich" generation—adults caring for both their children and elderly parents while managing professional demands—is particularly vulnerable. These individuals face compounding pressures, especially when time and financial resources are scarce and family duties are not shared equally.

*“While everyone works, certain household chores remain unchanged, placing immense pressure on a single person,”* Ianușevici noted.

**Communication over quick fixes**

Vacations can offer temporary relief but do not automatically resolve the root causes of burnout. If partners return to the same financial constraints and unresolved conflicts, tensions resurface rapidly. 

To prevent further deterioration, the counselor recommends pausing before impulsive reactions, fostering honest communication about emotions, and renegotiating responsibilities. Partners should also avoid imposing solutions without understanding the other's needs.

*“The urge to 'fix' the other person is instinctively common, but it is likely the most flawed approach,”* Ianușevici added.

When discussions fail to yield solutions and conflicts become cyclical, seeking support from a psychologist or psychotherapist provides a structured space for dialogue and targeted resolutions.

![](https://storage.radiomoldova.md/images/adfb3a47-fcee-445e-9ec6-a2aeba4fad72.jpg)

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* [Moldova expands mental health care as youth cases surge](<https://moldova1.md/p/87343/moldova-expands-mental-health-care-as-youth-cases-surge>)
* [Nearly 20% of Moldovans face depression as stigma blocks care](<https://moldova1.md/p/81020/nearly-20-of-moldovans-face-depression-as-stigma-blocks-care>)
* [An increasing number of Moldovans are seeing psychologists](<https://moldova1.md/p/59434>)
* [New campaign supports people affected by mental health issues](<https://moldova1.md/p/79665>)
* [Burnout and stress: Experts on mental health risks in Moldova](<https://moldova1.md/p/59322>)

[Video: https://trm.blob.core.windows.net/photos/bcac5992-b2f0-4327-b724-6b98610f9c26.jpg](https://original.trm.md/video/definst/MP4:2026/10/21/burnoutfamilial.mp4/playlist.m3u8)