The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents
Saskia van der Oord, Susan M. Bögels, Dorreke Peijnenburg
Journal of Child and Family Studies February 1, 2011 DOI: 10.1007/s10826-011-9457-0 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Within-group waitlist controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 22 |
| Population | Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents |
| Intervention | Mindfulness training for children |
| Duration | 8-week intervention, 8-week follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 414 |
| Key findings | Parent-rated ADHD symptoms of both children and parents decreased significantly from pre- to posttest and to follow-up, with increased mindful awareness and reduced parental stress and overreactivity. Teacher-rated ADHD and ODD symptoms showed no significant changes, leading the authors to call the evidence preliminary and not attributable to specific treatment procedures. |
Abstract
This study evaluated the effectiveness of an 8-week mindfulness training for children aged 8-12 with ADHD and parallel mindful parenting training for their parents. Parents (N = 22) completed questionnaires on their child's ADHD and ODD symptoms, their own ADHD symptoms, parenting stress, parental overreactivity, permissiveness and mindful awareness before, immediately after the 8-week training and at 8-week follow-up. Teachers reported on ADHD and ODD behavior of the child. A within-group waitlist was used to control for the effects of time and repeated measurement. Training was delivered in group format. There were no significant changes between wait-list and pre-test, except on the increase of teacher-rated ODD behavior. There was a significant reduction of parent-rated ADHD behavior of themselves and their child from pre-to posttest and from pre- to follow-up test. Further, there was a significant increase of mindful awareness from pre-to posttest and a significant reduction of parental stress and overreactivity from pre-to follow-up test. Teacher-ratings showed non-significant effects. Our study shows preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of mindfulness for children with ADHD and their parents, as rated by parents. However, in the absence of substantial effects on teacher-ratings, we cannot ascertain effects are due to specific treatment procedures.