Cheung RYM, Chan SKC, Chui H, Chan WM, Ngai SYS. Enhancing Parental Well-being: Initial Efficacy of a 21-Day Online Self-help Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Parents.
Mindfulness (N Y) 2022;
13:2812-2826. [PMID:
36248240 PMCID:
PMC9540077 DOI:
10.1007/s12671-022-01998-1]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Objectives
Parental self-care is extremely important in the face of stress throughout parenthood. A 21-day online mindfulness-based intervention was developed that was aimed at enhancing parental well-being. The present study evaluated this intervention by examining its initial efficacy on parents’ mindfulness, parenting stress, subjective well-being, and symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Methods
Participants were 273 parents (90.11% mothers) who were randomly assigned to the 21-day mindfulness-based intervention group (n = 136) or waitlist control group (n = 137). Pre-intervention assessment, immediate post-intervention assessment, and 30-day follow-up assessment were conducted to assess parents’ mindfulness, parenting stress, subjective well-being, and symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Results
Linear mixed models indicated that the group × time effects on subjective well-being, anxiety symptoms, and mindfulness were significant, after controlling for sex, age, education, income, habit of mindfulness practice, hours of weekly mindfulness practice, and diagnostic history of psychiatric disorder. Follow-up analyses indicated that compared to baseline, participants from the intervention group reported significantly greater subjective well-being and mindfulness, and fewer symptoms of anxiety than did those from the waitlist control group. The group × time effects on parenting stress and depressive symptoms were non-significant. Exploratory findings further suggested practicality and perceived acceptability of the intervention.
Conclusions
This study showed initial efficacy of a 21-day online mindfulness-based intervention on parents’ subjective well-being, anxiety symptoms, and mindfulness. The findings inform researchers and practitioners about the utility of a brief mindfulness-based intervention in promotion parental well-being. Other areas of feasibility warrant future investigation.
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