Inter-generational Transmission of Mindfulness Traits: A Mindfulness-Based Parenting Approach

Trait mindfulness does not appear to be directly transmitted from parents to children, but mindful parenting practices correlate with both parents' and children's mindfulness levels. A cross-sectional survey of Chinese families found no correlation between parents' and children's mindfulness levels, while mindful parenting was associated with mindfulness in both generations. The authors argue that mindful parenting may play a key role in fostering mindfulness across generations and recommend its application in family education.

Study at a glance

Abstract

In recent years, chinese scholars have gradually recognized the possibility and necessity of applying mindfulness to primary school students’ education. Currently, mindful parenting has been proven to be related to children’s behavioral and emotional problems. However, there is a certain research gap in the inter - generational transmission of traits. Based on this, the main research question of this study is whether trait mindfulness can be passed down across generations, and further to explore the correlations among the three variables of parents’ mindfulness level, children’s mindfulness level, and parents’ mindful parenting level. This study adopts a cross - sectional research method and conducts an exploration of the above questions through the data collection means of distributing questionnaires. From the data results, there is a correlation between mindfulness levels and mindful parenting levels, and there is no correlation in mindfulness levels between parents. However, there is a correlation between the level of mindful parenting and the mindfulness levels of parents and children respectively. This study explores the relationship between mindful parenting and inter - generational mindfulness levels and affirms the importance of applying mindful parenting in family education.