The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Children (MBCT-C) in Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms and Attention Problems among Children living in Single-Parent Families
Sara Jamali, Isaac Rahimian Boogar, Mojtaba Habibi Asgarabad
preprint DOI: 10.1101/2025.06.28.25330478 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial protocol |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 76 |
| Population | Children living in a single-parent household |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Children (MBCT-C) |
| Duration | 12-session intervention with three-month follow-up |
| Measures | Child Behavioral Checklist (CBCL), Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC), Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), Mindfulness Program Satisfaction Questioner (MPSQ), Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | The protocol describes a planned trial to assess MBCT-C's effectiveness for internalizing and externalizing symptoms and attention problems among children in single-parent families; no results are yet reported. |
Abstract
Abstract Background Current research aimed to provide a research protocol to assess the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Children (MBCT-C) for externalizing and internalizing symptoms and attention problems among children living in a single-parent household.
Method: This study protocol proposes a two-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing MBCT-C with an active control group (ACG). The intervention group will receive 12 sessions of MBCT-C group therapy, while the ACG will receive 12 sessions of sham mindfulness programs. Seventy-six children will be randomly selected and assigned to either the intervention group or the control group. The study will be semi-experimental research with a cross-over design that assessments will be conducted at the pre-test, post-test, and three-month follow-up. Participants will respond to the Child Behavioral Checklist (CBCL), Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC), Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), Mindfulness Program Satisfaction Questioner (MPSQ), and Clinical Global Impressions (CGI). Data will be analyzed using a mixed regression model in STATA 18.
Results: The obtained data will be analyzed with the mixed regression model to determine the effectiveness of the interventions.
Conclusion: The current study has implications for designing the tailored intervention by evaluating the impact of MBCT-C on symptoms related to internalization and externalization as well as attention problems among children in single-parent families.
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 |
Citations in the library
Cites 10
- Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation Perspectives on Psychological Science October 10, 2017
- Mindfulness-based interventions: an overall review British Medical Bulletin April 21, 2021
- Assessing adolescent mindfulness: Validation of an Adapted Mindful Attention Awareness Scale in adolescent normative and psychiatric populations. Psychological Assessment 2011
- Prevention of internalizing difficulties in the middle years: Protocol for a noninferiority randomized trial of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Children and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Early Intervention in Psychiatry July 1, 2024
- Effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for treating generalized anxiety disorder and the moderating influence of abuse during childhood: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Affective Disorders June 15, 2025
and 5 more in the library