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Farley R, de Diaz NAN, Emerson LM, Simcock G, Donovan C, Farrell LJ. Mindful Parenting Group Intervention for Parents of Children with Anxiety Disorders. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2024; 55:1342-1353. [PMID: 36689038 PMCID: PMC9869845 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-023-01492-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Parenting behaviour and rearing style contribute to the intergenerational relationship between parental and child anxiety. Current psychological interventions for child anxiety typically do not adequately address parental mental health, parenting behaviours or the parent-child relationship. The current pilot study examines the effectiveness of a mindful parenting intervention (MPI) for parents of young children with clinical anxiety. It was hypothesised that the intervention would be associated with improvements in parental stress, mental health, and mindfulness, and a reduction in child clinical anxiety symptoms. Twenty-one parents of children aged 3-7 years diagnosed with anxiety disorders participated in an 8-week group MPI program that aimed to increase their intentional moment to moment awareness of the parent-child relationship. Parental (anxiety, depression, hostility, stress, burden, mindfulness, mindful parenting) and child (anxiety diagnoses, anxiety severity, comorbidities) outcomes were assessed at pre- and post-intervention, and at 3-month follow-up. Parents reported a significant increase in mindful parenting and a significant reduction in parent-child dysfunctional interaction, but no change in mental health symptoms. There was a significant reduction in parent-rated child anxiety symptoms, severity of child anxiety diagnosis and number of comorbid diagnoses at post and 3-month follow-up. Limitations include a lack of waitlist control, small sample size, and participants were largely mothers, from intact families and highly educated. There was attrition of 43% and outcomes were predominantly self-report. MPIs offer a novel and potentially effective method of increasing mindful parenting, decreasing dysfunctional parent-child interactions, reducing parenting stress and might also be an effective early intervention for indirectly decreasing young children's clinical anxiety symptoms. Larger-scale controlled trials of MPIs are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn Farley
- Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia.
- School of Applied Psychology, Health Building (G40), Parklands Drive, Southport, QLD, 4222, Australia.
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Tsang A, Dahmash D, Bjornstad G, Rutter N, Nisar A, Horne F, Martin F. Systematic review and meta-analysis of interventions to improve outcomes for parents or carers of children with anxiety and/or depression. BMJ MENTAL HEALTH 2024; 27:e301218. [PMID: 39322587 PMCID: PMC11425941 DOI: 10.1136/bmjment-2024-301218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/27/2024]
Abstract
QUESTION Depression and anxiety are common among children and young people and can impact on the well-being of their parents/carers. Dominant intervention approaches include parent training; however, this approach does not directly address parents' well-being. Our objective was to examine the effect of interventions, with at least a component to directly address the parents' own well-being, on parents' well-being outcomes, including stress, depression and anxiety. STUDY SELECTION AND ANALYSIS A systematic search was performed in the following: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED, PsycINFO, Scopus, CENTRAL, Web of Science Core Collection (six citation indexes) and WHO ICTRP from inception to 30 December 2023. Interventions that aimed to support parents/carers managing the impact of their child's/young person's mental health were eligible. EPHPP (Effective Public Health Practice Project) was used to quality appraise the included studies. A meta-analysis of relevant outcomes was conducted. FINDINGS Fifteen studies were eligible comprising 812 parents/carers. Global methodological quality varied. Seven outcomes (anxiety, depression, stress, burden, self-efficacy, quality of life and knowledge of mood disorders) were synthesised at post-intervention. A small reduction in parental/carer anxiety favouring intervention was indicated in one of the analyses (g=-0.26, 95% CI -0.44 to -0.09, p=0.02), when excluding an influential case. Three outcomes were synthesised at follow-up, none of which were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Interventions directly addressing the well-being for parents of children with anxiety and/or depression appear not to be effective overall. Clearer conceptualisation of factors linked to parental distress is required to create more targeted interventions. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42022344453.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Tsang
- Division of Psychology & Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | | | - Gretchen Bjornstad
- The Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
- Applied Research Collaboration South West Peninsula (PenARC), NIHR, Exeter, UK
| | - Nikki Rutter
- Department of Sociology, Durham University, Durham, UK
| | | | - Francesca Horne
- Department of Social Work, Care and Communities, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | - Faith Martin
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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Martin F, Dahmash D, Wicker S, Glover SL, Duncan C, Anastassiou A, Docherty L, Halligan S. Psychological well-being and needs of parents and carers of children and young people with mental health difficulties: a quantitative systematic review with meta-analyses. BMJ MENTAL HEALTH 2024; 27:e300971. [PMID: 39103177 PMCID: PMC11298743 DOI: 10.1136/bmjment-2023-300971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
QUESTION For parents of children and young people (CYP) with diagnosed mental health difficulties, what are the levels of parents' well-being and psychological need? STUDY SELECTION AND ANALYSIS Medline, PsycINFO, EMBASE, AMED, CINAHL, Web of Science and Cochrane Library of Registered Trials were searched from inception to June 2023. INCLUSION CRITERIA parents of CYP aged 5-18 years with formal mental health diagnosis. Data were extracted from validated measures of well-being or psychological needs with established cut-off points or from a controlled study. FINDINGS 32 of the 73 310 records screened were included. Pooled means showed clinical range scores for one measure of depression, and all included measures of anxiety, parenting stress and general stress. Meta-analyses showed greater depression (g=0.24, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.38) and parenting stress (g=0.34, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.49) in parents of CYP with mental health difficulties versus those without. Mothers reported greater depression (g=0.42, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.66) and anxiety (g=0.73, 95% CI 0.27 to 1.18) than fathers. Narrative synthesis found no clear patterns in relation to CYP condition. Rates of parents with clinically relevant levels of distress varied. Typically, anxiety, parenting stress and general stress scored above clinical threshold. Quality appraisal revealed few studies with a clearly defined control group, or attempts to control for important variables such as parent gender. CONCLUSIONS The somewhat mixed results suggest clinical anxiety, parenting and general stress may be common, with sometimes high depression. Assessment and support for parents of CYP with mental health problems is required. Further controlled studies, with consideration of pre-existing parental mental health difficulties are required. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42022344453.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faith Martin
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | | | - Sarah Wicker
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | | | - Charlie Duncan
- British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, Lutterworth, UK
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Fitzgeraldson E, Kay-Lambkin F, Harding N, McNaughton KM, Triandafilidis Z, Heath J, Lyford B, Charnley J, Fitzpatrick S. Supports and Interventions for Carers of a Person with Depressive or Anxiety Symptomology: A Systematic Review. EUROPES JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 18:476-493. [PMID: 36605087 PMCID: PMC9780730 DOI: 10.5964/ejop.6407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
An increasing body of research attests to the capacity of evidence-based interventions to improve outcomes for informal carers. A review of suitable supports and interventions for carers of a person with depressive or anxiety symptomology is timely. This systematic review explores intervention suitability evidence for this carer group. Searches for relevant primary studies were conducted in six databases across a 15-year timeframe (October 2004-October 2019). Studies were assessed and compared narratively and thematically. Qualitative themes were synthesised with quantitative studies to explore the extent to which carer preferences were embedded in interventions. The initial literature search produced 13,183 studies. Six studies-three randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and three mixed-method studies-were included following a double-blinded screening process, a review of reference lists and risk of bias assessment. Included studies contributed either intervention efficacy or acceptability evidence. The synthesis of qualitative themes with quantitative studies found that carer-specific needs and targeted psychoeducation were featured in interventions from all six quantitative studies. Current evidence for appropriate supports and interventions for this carer group is limited. The review uncovers a lack of interventions for carers of a person with anxiety symptomology and limited intervention suitability evidence for carers of a person with depressive symptomology. More research is needed to explore the needs and preferences of this carer group, and how best to support them.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Frances Kay-Lambkin
- University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
- NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Mental Health & Substance Abuse, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, Australia
- Centre for Brain and Mental Health Priority Research Centre, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
- Society for Mental Health Research, Victoria, Australia
- International Society for Research on Internet Interventions, Sanford, NC, USA
| | - Natasha Harding
- University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
- Everymind, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Kimie M. McNaughton
- University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, Australia
- Centre for Brain and Mental Health Priority Research Centre, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Zoi Triandafilidis
- University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
- Centre for Brain and Mental Health Priority Research Centre, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Jacinta Heath
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, Hunter New England Health, Sydney, Australia
| | - Bronte Lyford
- University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
- Everymind, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Janine Charnley
- University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, Australia
- Centre for Brain and Mental Health Priority Research Centre, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
- Society for Mental Health Research, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sally Fitzpatrick
- University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
- Everymind, Newcastle, Australia
- Centre for Emotional Health, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
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Williams K, Hartley S, Langer S, Manandhar‐Richardson M, Sinha M, Taylor P. A systematic review and meta-ethnographic synthesis of Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy for people with major depression. Clin Psychol Psychother 2022; 29:1494-1514. [PMID: 35912665 PMCID: PMC9805101 DOI: 10.1002/cpp.2773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a relapse-prevention intervention for people experiencing major depression. Three qualitative meta-syntheses investigating experiences of taking part in MBCT and/or Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) across different diagnostic populations reported themes including control, choice, group processes, relationships and struggles. As multiple studies have been published since, we aimed to update, systematically review and synthesize the experiences of participants with depression taking part in MBCT. METHODS Four databases were searched systematically (PsycInfo, Web of Science, Medline and CINAHL) up to and including 12 November 2021. Twenty-one qualitative studies met the review criteria. All papers were rated as fair using a quality appraisal tool. Meta-ethnography was applied. RESULTS Across 21 studies of participants with current or previous depression who had participated in MBCT, three overarching themes were developed: 'Becoming skilled and taking action', 'Acceptance' and 'Ambivalence and Variability'. Participants became skilled through engagement in mindfulness practices, reporting increased awareness, perspective and agency over their experiences. Participants developed acceptance towards their experiences, self and others. There was variability and ambivalence regarding participants' expectations and difficulties within mindfulness practices. LIMITATIONS Many studies were conducted in MBCT-research centres that may hold conflicts of interest. Many studies did not address the impact of the participant-researcher relationship thus potentially affecting their interpretations. Studies were skewed towards the experiences of female participants. CONCLUSIONS Our findings help to enhance participant confidence in MBCT, alongside understanding the processes of change and the potential for difficulties. MBCT is beneficial and provides meaningful change for many but remains challenging for some.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Williams
- Division of Psychology & Mental Health, School of Health SciencesUniversity of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences CentreManchesterUK
- Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation TrustManchesterUK
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Psychology, and Social CareManchester Metropolitan UniversityManchesterUK
| | - Samantha Hartley
- Division of Psychology & Mental Health, School of Health SciencesUniversity of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences CentreManchesterUK
- Pennine Care NHS Foundation TrustAshton‐under‐LyneUK
| | - Susanne Langer
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Psychology, and Social CareManchester Metropolitan UniversityManchesterUK
| | | | - Melissa Sinha
- Division of Psychology & Mental Health, School of Health SciencesUniversity of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences CentreManchesterUK
- Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation TrustManchesterUK
| | - Peter Taylor
- Division of Psychology & Mental Health, School of Health SciencesUniversity of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences CentreManchesterUK
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Dasanayaka NN, Sirisena ND, Samaranayake N. Impact of Meditation-Based Lifestyle Practices on Mindfulness, Wellbeing, and Plasma Telomerase Levels: A Case-Control Study. Front Psychol 2022; 13:846085. [PMID: 35310206 PMCID: PMC8931770 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.846085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Meditation involves psychophysical training which can result in a range of benefits including creating a calm mind and increasing self-awareness, relaxation, and tranquility. Increasing evidence, mostly based on short-term focused interventions, suggests that meditation-based activities may also have favorable effects on physical wellbeing including cellular aging. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate if continued practice of meditation benefited quality of life, state of mindfulness, and plasma telomerase level in healthy adults. 30 long-term and skilled meditators were recruited from meditation centers in different parts of the island following a two-tier screening process of 70 eligible participants and 30 age- and gender-matched healthy non-meditators were recruited from the community. Mindfulness level and the quality of life were measured using the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) and Quality of Life Questionnaire, respectively, while the levels of plasma telomerase enzyme were measured using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Skilled meditators had a better mindfulness level (p < 0.001) and quality of life (QOL; p < 0.001) than those in the comparison group. Similarly, higher plasma telomerase levels were observed in skilled meditators compared to non-meditators (p = 0.002). Trait mindfulness level and plasma telomerase level showed a significant relationship with the duration of meditation practice (p = 0.046 and p = 0.011, respectively). Regression analysis indicated that trait mindfulness level (p < 0.001) significantly predicts the plasma telomerase level. The findings of this comparative study add to the evidence on sustained benefits of meditation on wellbeing and healthy aging and supports incorporating meditation-based activities into lifestyle practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirodhi Namika Dasanayaka
- Research Promotion and Facilitation Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- *Correspondence: Nirodhi Namika Dasanayaka,
| | - Nirmala Dushyanthi Sirisena
- Department of Anatomy, Genetics and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Nilakshi Samaranayake
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
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A Mindful Parenting Program for Parents Concerned About Child Internalizing Problems: a Randomized Controlled Feasibility Study. Mindfulness (N Y) 2022; 13:430-448. [PMID: 35069922 PMCID: PMC8760132 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-021-01805-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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McDonald HM, Sherman KA, Kasparian NA. A mediated model of mindful awareness, emotion regulation, and maternal mental health during pregnancy and postpartum. AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/00049530.2021.1908846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nadine A. Kasparian
- Cincinnati Children’s Centre for Heart Disease and Mental Health, Heart Institute and the Division of Behavioral Medicine & Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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Guenther CH, Stephens RL, Ratliff ML, Short SJ. Parent-Child Mindfulness-Based Training: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study. J Evid Based Integr Med 2021; 26:2515690X211002145. [PMID: 33896225 PMCID: PMC8082986 DOI: 10.1177/2515690x211002145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress in young children can interfere with academic achievement. To help address stress and aid in developing beneficial lifelong coping skills, educational systems are more widely incorporating programs that teach social and emotional regulation, such as mindfulness-based programs. The effects of these programs may be strengthened through parental support in the home environment. This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of a new Parent-Child Mindfulness-Based Training (PC-MBT) program, which delivered mindfulness-based training to parents and children simultaneously in the home environment. This study also implemented a working memory training after PC-MBT to assess the feasibility of completing two trainings sequentially. Healthy children, ages 8-10 (n = 14), and their parents participated in the PC-MBT program. They met with an instructor at home and online each week for 6 weeks and were provided resources including books, worksheets, audio recordings, and daily practices to reinforce mindfulness skills. A control group (n = 8) participated in the working memory training only. All PC-MBT and control children, except one, participated in the working memory training. All PC-MBT assigned families completed the PC-MBT program, and a majority utilized all types of the mindfulness training materials. A majority of participants also reported high levels of enjoyment and understanding of the PC-MBT program. This study establishes the feasibility and acceptability of the PC-MBT program and lays the foundation for future studies to assess program efficacy in healthy and clinical populations as well as the utility of PC-MBT to improve engagement and outcomes of other cognitive training programs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rebecca L. Stephens
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Macy L. Ratliff
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Sarah J. Short
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Educational Psychology and Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
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Ford T, Richardson J, Wilkinson K, Smith P, Berry V, Barnhofer T, Fox J, Kuyken W. Could mindfulness-based cognitive therapy prevent a lifelong recurrent course of depression or anxiety by addressing key mechanisms of vulnerability in high-risk adolescents? Br J Psychiatry 2020; 216:175-177. [PMID: 31352908 DOI: 10.1192/bjp.2019.183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
We explore the potential of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, a skills-based intervention that provides participants with sustainable tools for adaptive responses to stress and negative mood, for the large group of young people with depression or anxiety who only partially or briefly respond to currently available first-line interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamsin Ford
- Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, UK
| | - Jessica Richardson
- Clinical Psychologist, Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Clinic, South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust; and Co-Director of Children and Young People's IAPT, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | - Kath Wilkinson
- Associate Research Fellow, Peninsula Childhood Disability Research Unit, University of Exeter College of Medicine and Health; and NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research & Care South-West Peninsula, Institute of Health Research, University of Exeter Medical School, UK
| | - Patrick Smith
- Clinical Psychologist, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust; and Reader in Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | - Vashti Berry
- Senior Research Fellow, NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research & Care South-West Peninsula, Institute of Health Research, University of Exeter Medical School, UK
| | - Thorsten Barnhofer
- Professor of Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Surrey, UK
| | - Jerry Fox
- Community Psychiatric Nurse, Devon Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service; and MBCT Therapist, Mood Disorder Centre, University of Exeter, UK
| | - Willem Kuyken
- Professor of Mindfulness and Psychological Science, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, UK
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Burgdorf V, Szabó M, Abbott MJ. The Effect of Mindfulness Interventions for Parents on Parenting Stress and Youth Psychological Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Psychol 2019; 10:1336. [PMID: 31244732 PMCID: PMC6562566 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The psychological well-being of parents and children is compromised in families characterized by greater parenting stress. As parental mindfulness is associated with lower parenting stress, a growing number of studies have investigated whether mindfulness interventions can improve outcomes for families. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the effectiveness of mindfulness interventions for parents, in reducing parenting stress and improving youth psychological outcomes. Methods: A literature search for peer-reviewed articles and dissertations was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines in the PsycInfo, Medline, PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses databases. Studies were included if they reported on a mindfulness-based intervention delivered in person to parents with the primary aim of reducing parenting stress or improving youth psychological outcomes. Results: Twenty-five independent studies were included in the review. Eighteen studies used a single group design and six were randomized controlled trials. Within-groups, meta-analysis indicated a small, post-intervention reduction in parenting stress (g = 0.34), growing to a moderate reduction at 2 month follow-up (g = 0.53). Overall, there was a small improvement in youth outcomes (g = 0.27). Neither youth age or clinical status, nor time in mindfulness training, moderated parenting stress or overall youth outcome effects. Youth outcomes were not moderated by intervention group attendees. Change in parenting stress predicted change in youth externalizing and cognitive effects, but not internalizing effects. In controlled studies, parenting stress reduced more in mindfulness groups than control groups (g = 0.44). Overall, risk of bias was assessed as serious. Conclusions: Mindfulness interventions for parents may reduce parenting stress and improve youth psychological functioning. While improvements in youth externalizing and cognitive outcomes may be explained by reductions in parenting stress, it appears that other parenting factors may contribute to improvements in youth internalizing outcomes. Methodological weaknesses in the reviewed literature prevent firm conclusions from being drawn regarding effectiveness. Future research should address these methodological issues before mindfulness interventions for parents are recommended as an effective treatment option for parents or their children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Burgdorf
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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