The effects of mindfulness on mother–child relationships and maternal well‐being during the first COVID‐19 lockdown in Israel
Liat Ben‐Uriel Maoz, Shiri Lavy, Aviva Berkovich-Ohana
Child & Family Social Work March 14, 2023 DOI: 10.1111/cfs.13013 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 109 |
| Population | Mothers caring for their children (mean child age 8.61 years) during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Israel |
| Intervention | Relaxing music intervention |
| Duration | 2 weeks of daily interventions |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 8 |
| Key findings | Contrary to the hypothesis, mothers' relationships with their children and well-being improved across all groups over two weeks of daily interventions, with no significant differences between the mindfulness-based intervention, relaxing music, and no-intervention groups. Increases in relationship quality were associated with increases in mindfulness and decentering. The authors suggest crises perceived as threats to mother-child relationships may also present beneficial opportunities in certain circumstances. |
Abstract
Abstract Research indicates associations of mindfulness with better relationships and well‐being because it promotes decentering and relationship‐related capacities. This study examined the effects of mindfulness on mothers' relationships with their children and well‐being in a challenging time – the first COVID‐19 lockdown. We hypothesized that mothers' relationships and well‐being would deteriorate during the lockdown, but a mindfulness‐based intervention (MBI) would mitigate this process because of its effect on mothers' mindfulness and decentering. We surveyed 109 mothers caring for their children (mean age 8.61) during the first lockdown in Israel. First, they completed online questionnaires assessing their interpersonal mindfulness, decentering, relationships with their children and well‐being (including positive and negative affect and life satisfaction). Then, they were randomly assigned to a group: MBI, relaxing music intervention or no intervention. Participants completed the questionnaires again after 2 weeks of daily interventions. Unexpectedly, mothers in all groups improved their relationships with their children and well‐being (their satisfaction with life increased and negative affect decreased) with no significant group differences. Furthermore, the increase in relationship quality was associated with increases in mindfulness and decentering. The findings suggest that crises initially perceived as a threat to mother–child relationships may also present a beneficial opportunity in certain circumstances.
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
Cited by 3
- The Correlation Between Mindfulness, Decentering, and Psychological Problems: A Structural Equation Modeling Meta-Analysis Mindfulness July 2, 2024
- What Is a Mindful Parenting Response? A Preliminary Study Connecting Mothers’ State Mindfulness to Their Neural Response to Infant and Parenting Outcomes Mindfulness June 15, 2026
- Mindfulness, Decentering, and Mother–Child Relationships in COVID-19 Lockdown: A Daily Diary Study Mindfulness February 1, 2026
Cites 24
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- A Model of Mindful Parenting: Implications for Parent–Child Relationships and Prevention Research Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review May 2, 2009
- Conceptual and methodological issues in research on mindfulness and meditation. American Psychologist October 1, 2015
- The Empirical Status of Mindfulness-Based Interventions: A Systematic Review of 44 Meta-Analyses of Randomized Controlled Trials Perspectives on Psychological Science February 16, 2021
- Mindfulness on-the-go: Effects of a mindfulness meditation app on work stress and well-being. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology May 3, 2018
and 19 more in the library