Investigating the Relationship between Mindful Parenting and Children's Executive Functions: The Mediating Role of Brain Waves

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Mindful parenting enhances parenting capacity, stability, and adaptability, and strengthens parent-child relationships. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between mindful parenting and children's executive functions with the mediating role of brain waves. Method: This was a descriptive correlational study with a structural equation modeling method. The statistical population of the study included all 6-12-year-old children referred to the "Andisheh va Raftar" Clinic in Mashhad in 2019-20, form which 133 children (60 females, 73 males) were selected using available sampling method. The instruments used in the study included the Mindfulness in Parenting Questionnaire (McCaffre et. Al, 2015), the Barkley Deficits in Executive Functions Scale-Children and Adolescents (Barkley, 2012), and Neurofeedback device. Data were analyzed by structural equation modeling method using SPSS23 and LISREL8.8 software. Results:The results showed that the proposed model best fitted the data. There was a direct relationship between mindful parenting and executive functions (β = 0.32, t = 5.34) and an indirect relationship through alpha wave (= 0.18). β, t = 3.58) and (β = 0.63, t = 12.31); Beta wave (β = 0.15, t = 3.16) and (β = 0.57, t = 9.32) and theta wave (β = 0.12, t = 1.25) and (0.22 = -β, 14 / 4-= t). Conclusion: According to the results, mindful parenting is both directly and indirectly related to the executive functions through the mediation of brain waves. The results of this study contain practical implications for promoting children's executive functions in relation to parenting.

Exploring the Multifaceted Relationships Between Mindful Parenting, Family Relationships, and Mothers' Reflective Functioning with the Emotional Social Adaptation of Children with Autism

“…By adhering to the principles of human communication, such as mutual respect for each other's opinions and views, demonstrating and observing the principles of honesty towards each other, maintaining emotions towards each other, observing the principles of mutual loyalty, showing love to each other, and observingthe principles of confidentiality and support for each other's resources, a peaceful environment is prepared, creating a suitable condition for nurturing the morale of family members. On the other hand, it cannot be overlooked that personality has a significant impact on family relationships(12,(14)(15)(16).Various studies have addressed the situation of children with autism in relation to their parents(5,14,15,(17)(18)(19), and specifically emphasized the role of parenting in the psychological status of children with autism.However, mothers of children with autism face more difficulties and complex issues in the socialization of their children than other mothers. Therefore, it is necessary to pay more attention to research in this area and determine how thestates and characteristics of mothers can affect the emotional social development of their children, especially since no research has been conducted in this area in the city of Kut, Iraq.…”

“…However, various studies have emphasized the critical role of motherhood and parenting in child development and the reduction of behavioral disorders(5,14,15,17,19,21) that specifically highlighted the role of parenting in the psychological status of children with autism. The findings of this study are consistent with those studies that some parenting constructs are related to the social psychological status of children.In explaining the relationship between mindful parenting and emotional social adaptation, it can be said that emotional social adaptation is the ability to form satisfying relationships and depends on the individual's acceptance of conditions.…”