The Effect of Mindfulness Interventions for Parents on Parenting Stress and Youth Psychological Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Frontiers in Psychology June 6, 2019 Virginia Burgdorf, Marianna Dinyáné Szabó, Maree J. Abbott
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 25 studies examined mindfulness interventions delivered in person to parents, aiming to reduce parenting stress and improve youth psychological outcomes. Within-group analyses showed a small post-intervention reduction in parenting stress (g = 0.34), which grew to a moderate reduction at two-month follow-up (g = 0.53), and a small overall improvement in youth outcomes (g = 0.27). Controlled studies found greater parenting stress reductions in mindfulness groups than controls (g = 0.44). Changes in parenting stress predicted changes in youth externalizing and cognitive outcomes, but not internalizing outcomes. The authors note serious risk of bias and caution that methodological weaknesses prevent firm conclusions.