Randomized controlled trial of brief app-based gratitude and mindfulness interventions for parents of young children.
Chelsea G Ratcliff, Hillary A Langley, Debbie Torres, Kennedy S Anderson
Journal of family psychology : JFP : journal of the Division of Family Psychology of the American Psychological Association (Division 43) June 9, 2025 DOI: 10.1037/fam0001347 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 125 |
| Population | Parents of young children |
| Intervention | Food journaling |
| Dose | 10 min/day |
| Duration | 2-week intervention, 1-month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Mobile health Ehealth Digital therapeutics Parent mental health Family well-being Stress reduction techniques Emotional regulation strategies Outcome study Psychological research |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | Two-week daily app-based mindfulness and gratitude interventions did not lead to improved outcomes compared to an attention control condition for parents of young children. |
Abstract
Parenting is associated with considerable stress. Brief, self-directed mindfulness and gratitude interventions via mobile app may mitigate the effects of stress on parents' mood and emotion regulation. The present study is a randomized controlled trial among parents of young children (N = 125) comparing the effect of a 2-week daily (10-min/day) app-based mindfulness intervention to a 2-week daily (10-min/day) app-based gratitude intervention to a 2-week daily (10-min/day) app-based food journaling attention control condition on parenting stress, positive and negative affect, emotion regulation, mindfulness, and gratitude reported immediately postintervention and 1-month later. Linear multilevel modeling revealed no significant group or Group × Time effects on any outcome (ps > .1). Exploratory analyses examining gender as a moderator of effects also generally did not provide evidence of the interventions' efficacy on outcomes for men or women. Two-week app-based mindfulness and gratitude interventions did not lead to improved outcomes compared to an attention control condition for parents of young children. More intensive gratitude and/or mindfulness interventions may be needed to effect change in parents. Alternatively, it is possible that mindfulness- and/or gratitude-focused interventions may not be the most effective approach for addressing parenting stress. However, future research powered to assess parents' responses to such interventions is needed to determine efficacy. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |