Mind the Family: Acceptability and Outcomes for a Mindfulness- and Imagery-Enhanced Behavioral Parenting Program

Abstract

Enhanced parenting programs aim to meet broader family needs. Past research shows mixed effects for standard programs across differing family characteristics. We evaluate pre- to post-intervention improvements for fathers (n = 115) and mothers (n = 223) of children aged 3 to 12 years with externalizing behaviors who participated in an 8-week mindfulness- and imagery-enhanced behavioral parenting group program. Parents reported high acceptability and significant pre- to post-intervention improvements, with large effect sizes, in parent well-being, parenting approach, mindful parenting, and child behavior. Fathers attended the same number of sessions as mothers and demonstrated similar improvements. Blending imagery and mindfulness with behavioral skills appears helpful, including for fathers.

Keywords:

• Child behavior
• fathers
• imagery
• mindfulness
• parenting

Subject classification codes:

• 3311
• 3312
• 3313

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by a University of Wollongong Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship awarded to Mark Donovan. The authors report no conflict of interest.