Objectives
Involving parents and children in mindfulness-based interventions may holistically benefit family well-being. This meta-analysis systematically reviews and synthesizes the effects of mindfulness-based parallel-group (MBPG) interventions, which simultaneously involve parent and child, on family functioning, and the mental health of parents and children.
Methods
A total of 20 relevant studies were identified from 14 databases. The overall intervention effect size was estimated by pooled standardized mean difference. Moderator analyses were performed to explain the variability in intervention effects. Risk of bias and publication bias were also assessed.
Results
MBPG interventions showed minor-to-small positive effects on family functioning (d = 0.182, 95% CI [0.045, 0.319]), parental mental health (d = 0.238, 95% CI [0.110, 0.365]), and child mental health (d = 0.325, 95% CI [0.137, 0.513]). The effects of MBPG interventions on child mental health varied significantly by child age, child gender, recruitment setting, type of parent group, other activities in child group, other activities in parent group, and study design.
Conclusions
MBPG interventions show promising effects in improving mental health of both parents and children as well as in improving overall family functioning. However, significant variations exist in characteristics of participants, interventions, and study designs. Given the limited evidence currently available, more studies are needed to assess the determinants of effectiveness in MBPG interventions.
Protocol Registration: PROSPERO #CRD42020164927
ObjectiveThis meta‐analysis synthesizes the effects of group parenting interventions (GPIs) on mental health and parenting‐related outcomes among parents with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).BackgroundParents' history of ACEs can jeopardize parental mental health and impede their children's development through dysfunctional parenting. GPIs are increasingly applied to parents with ACEs, but their effectiveness remains to be synthesized.MethodWe identified 12 relevant studies that involve 709 families from PsycINFO, Medline, CINAHL Plus, and Embase. The overall intervention effect size was estimated by adjusted pooled standardized mean difference using random‐effects models, and moderator analyses were performed to explore the variability in intervention effects. Risks of bias and publication bias were also assessed.ResultsMost of the parents in the included studies were mothers from ethnic minority groups who had limited family support and a low socioeconomic status. The average age of parents ranged from 18 to 32 years. GPIs showed small positive effects on parenting (Hedge's g = 0.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.22, 0.49]) and parent mental health (g = 0.34, CI [0.16, 0.53]), with some variability across the studies.ConclusionGPIs show promising effects in improving parenting and mental health among parents who have experienced early‐childhood trauma.ImplicationsAddressing the needs of parents with ACEs warrants a comprehensive intervention framework. Interventions for parents with ACEs should balance the focus on building healthy parent–child attachment and addressing parents' personal emotional needs.
Purpose This study examines the feasibility and effects of a parallel parent–child mindfulness intervention on parenting stress, child behavior, and parent–child relationship among low-income migrant families. Methods Using a quasi-experimental design, 21 Chinese migrant parents and one child of each parent were assigned to an 8-week intervention ( n = 11 pairs) or waitlist control ( n = 10 pairs). Semi-structured qualitative interviews and pre–post quantitative measures were used to assess intervention feasibility and effects. Results Qualitative interviews suggest mindfulness training promotes family well-being through enhanced parental and child emotional regulation. Quantitative results suggest within-group parenting stress significantly decreased in the intervention group (partial η 2 = .423) but not in controls (partial η 2 = .000); between-group analyses showed a nonsignificant, medium effect size on parenting stress (partial η 2 = .069). Conclusions The intervention shows good feasibility and initial support for reducing parenting stress. Future research requires a larger randomized controlled trial among high-stress populations such as migrant families.
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