Preliminary Evidence for Infusing Mindfulness, Yoga and Parenting Education Training on the Resilience-building Capacity for Incarcerated Fathers

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Research has shown correlations between mindfulness, yoga and reduced risky behaviors among incarcerated and high-risk populations. Research has also shown that yoga can increase positive mental and physical health. Purpose: The present study extends current knowledge by combining a parenting program with yoga instruction in a 12-session series delivered to incarcerated fathers. We hypothesized that participants' resilience and parenting knowledge would increase from beginning to end of program. Methods: Using three measures for parental resiliency and one program scale for parenting, we assessed pretest to posttest changes in 65 of 112 criminal justice-involved fathers who completed a parenting curriculum that includes yoga and mindfulness instruction. Results: Participants significantly improved on two of three measures of resilience: overall Self Compassion Scale (SCS), and overall Whole Person Scale (WPS), which includes a total of three of six SCS subscales and three of four WPS subscales, from pretest to posttest; and on a parenting scale (Fit2bFathers Program Scale). Conclusion: The study provides preliminary evidence that a parenting program with yoga instruction may be an effective intervention for high-risk populations where parenting skills may be limited or stressed.

The Importance of Hope to Resilience in Criminal Justice Diversion Programs

“…Moreover, in the regression model, hope accounted for significant variance in the dependent variable of resilience across demographic variables. While research has sought to identify ways to increase psychological resilience among those recently incarcerated (Crawford et al, 2015), it is more often focused on other populations who face adversity, such as those recovering from substance addiction (Rudzinski et al, 2017) or adults with exposure to child maltreatment (Meng et al, 2018). More research is needed to understand better how to enhance resilience via intervention in diversion programs.…”

“…More research is needed to understand better how to enhance resilience via intervention in diversion programs. Such research has value because some studies have demonstrated that resiliency may be malleable and a potential target outcome of interventions (Chmitorz et al, 2018;Crawford et al, 2015).…”

Research on the Practical Path of Realizing "Three-Whole Parenting" by Technical Staff Branches in Colleges and Universities

“…It aims to enhance students' social adaptability and employability while guiding them to establish proper professional ethics and values. Vocational instructors, career counselors, and industry professionals assist in the execution of this aspect of education [3].…”

Review on Theorizing Yoga and Dance/Movement Therapy as a Mindfulness Skill

“…The third stage in yoga is full participation [5]. A significant element of many mindfulness-based operations is mindful movement, such as the practice of yoga [37].Hatha yoga specifically is based body-mind-breath harmony in a mindful approach, gradually working on physical and mental strength, flexibility, and balance. The focus is on the release of physical, mental, and emotional tension [38].In keeping with this conceptualization, the current discussion proceeds with the understanding that yoga is an integration of three interrelated components, asanas (physical postures), pranayama (focused breathing), and dhyana (meditation) [38][39].…”