Parallel Parent–Child Mindfulness Intervention for Migrant Families' Adaptation: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Shuang Lu, Christine T Y Ng, Renhui Lyu, Eddie S. K. Chong, Hui Hu, Xiaolu Dai, Kirk Warren Brown, SM Ng, Qiaobing Wu
Family Process October 2, 2026 DOI: 10.1111/famp.70200 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 116 |
| Population | Chinese new-arrival parent-child dyads in Hong Kong |
| Intervention | Mindfulness intervention |
| Duration | 8-week intervention; assessments at baseline, post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | The 8-week parallel parent-child mindfulness intervention significantly improved parents' sociocultural adaptation, with attenuated effects at follow-up, and increased parent life satisfaction and reduced parenting stress at posttest. Child outcomes were largely nonsignificant except short-term improvements in social interaction and life satisfaction. Sustained effects were observed only among parents of boys and families residing in Hong Kong for less than 2 years. |
Abstract
Parent and child sociocultural adaptation is essential to migrant family well-being, and community-based mindfulness training may support this process. However, evidence on mindfulness interventions for migrant families remains scarce, particularly those engaging parent and child simultaneously. This study evaluates a parallel parent-child mindfulness intervention targeting sociocultural adaptation, psychological adjustment, and family relationships among Chinese new-arrival families in Hong Kong. In a randomized controlled trial, 116 parent-child dyads were assigned to an 8-week mindfulness intervention or routine community services. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up. Compared with controls, the intervention significantly improved parents' sociocultural adaptation, with attenuated effects at follow-up. It also increased parent life satisfaction and reduced parenting stress at posttest. Child outcomes were largely nonsignificant, except for short-term improvements in social interaction and life satisfaction at posttest. Indirect effects of the intervention through parent sociocultural adaptation were nonsignificant, with estimates in the hypothesized direction for parent life satisfaction (B = 0.94, 95% CI [-0.02, 1.90]) and psychological distress (B = -1.42, 95% CI [-2.89, 0.04]). No mediation effects were observed among children. Subgroup analyses indicated that effects on parent adaptation and life satisfaction varied by child sex and family length of residence, with sustained effects observed only among parents of boys and families residing in Hong Kong for less than 2 years. Findings suggest that parallel parent-child mindfulness interventions may support specific aspects of migrant families' adaptation, with more consistent and sustained effects for parents than for children.
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
Cites 6
- Research Review: The effects of mindfulness‐based interventions on cognition and mental health in children and adolescents – a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry October 22, 2018
- On some definitions of mindfulness Contemporary Buddhism May 1, 2011
- Prevalence of meditation-related adverse effects in a population-based sample in the United States Psychotherapy Research June 2, 2021
- Exploring the Multidimensional Links Between Trait Mindfulness and Trait Empathy. Frontiers in Psychiatry August 4, 2021
- The Effect of Mindfulness Interventions for Parents on Parenting Stress and Youth Psychological Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Frontiers in Psychology June 6, 2019
and 1 more in the library