Mindfulness with children and adolescents: effective clinical application.
Miles Thompson, Jeremy Gauntlett-Gilbert
Clinical child psychology and psychiatry July 2008 DOI: 10.1177/1359104508090603 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Argues that mindfulness shows clinical promise for children and adolescents, though research in this population is still in its initial stages. Recommends specific clinical modifications for using mindfulness with young people and emphasizes important differences among mindfulness, relaxation, and other meditative techniques. |
Abstract
Mindfulness interventions within adult populations are becoming increasingly popular. Research suggests that mindfulness can deliver lasting improvements in self-awareness and emotional stability to adults with severe and chronic conditions. As yet, research within child and adolescent populations is in its initial stages, although mindfulness shows great clinical promise for young people. This article aims to provide an overview of mindfulness to professionals who are working in child or adolescent settings. Initially, it will provide the reader with some orientation to and definitions from the field, before summarizing the current evidence for the utility of the approach. The article recommends specific clinical modifications for mindfulness with children and adolescents, as well as reviewing how to monitor and enhance the development of this skill. Finally, it highlights important differences among mindfulness, relaxation and other meditative techniques.