Effectiveness of A Mindful Parenting Group Intervention on the Parent-Child Relationship in Parents of Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Tippawan Duangchoo, Suporn Apinantavet, S. Singhakant, W. Atsariyasing
Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet March 21, 2026 DOI: 10.35755/jmedassocthai.2026.3.03437 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 23 |
| Population | Parents of children with ADHD treated at Siriraj Hospital |
| Interventions | Mindful parenting group sessions psychoeducation about mindful parenting |
| Duration | Six weekly sessions, with post-intervention and 8-week follow-up assessments |
| Measures | Parent-Child Relationship Questionnaire (PCRQ), Srithanya Sati Scale (SSS) |
| Key findings | The trial found no significant group-by-time interaction on either outcome. The authors report that parental mindfulness improved immediately after the intervention (B=4.54) but faded by the 8-week follow-up, while parent-child relationship scores remained stable in the intervention group but declined significantly in the control group during follow-up (B=–4.10). They argue the intervention may act as a protective buffer for the parent-child relationship and provide a short-term mindfulness boost, with ongoing reinforcement needed for lasting effects. |
Abstract
Objective: To assess the effectiveness of a mindful parenting intervention on the parent-child relationship and parental mindfulness.
Materials and Methods: This unblinded, randomized controlled trial with a parallel-group design was conducted with parents of children with ADHD treated at Siriraj Hospital. The intervention group (13 participants) participated in six weekly mindful parenting group sessions, while the control group (10 participants) received psychoeducation about mindful parenting. The Parent-Child Relationship Questionnaire (PCRQ) and Srithanya Sati Scale (SSS) were administered at baseline, post-intervention, and at an 8-week follow-up. Data were analyzed using a linear mixed model.
Results: Although no significant group-by-time interaction was found, conditional marginal effect analysis revealed distinct longitudinal patterns. For parental mindfulness (SSS), the intervention group showed a significant immediate improvement post-intervention (B=4.54, p=0.012), followed by a “fade-out” effect at the 8-week follow-up (p=0.203), due to skill decay after the withdrawal of structured support. In contrast, for the parent-child relationship (PCRQ), the experimental group demonstrated persistence by maintaining stable scores, whereas the control group experienced a significant decline during the follow-up period (B=–4.10, p=0.009).
Conclusion: The intervention showed promise as a protective buffer for parent-child relationships and an immediate mindfulness boost. However, the 8-week mindfulness fade-out highlights the need for ongoing reinforcement. Despite the small sample and short follow-up, the findings suggest that sustaining environment is essential for long-term impact. Further rigorous longitudinal studies are recommended.