"I'M OPENING MY ARMS RATHER THAN PUSHING AWAY:" PERCEIVED BENEFITS OF A MINDFULNESS-BASED INTERVENTION AMONG HOMELESS WOMEN AND YOUNG CHILDREN.
Jeanne L Alhusen, Carole Norris-Shortle, Kim Cosgrove, Lauren Marks
Infant Mental Health Journal May 2, 2017 DOI: 10.1002/imhj.21641 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 17 |
| Population | Predominantly African American mothers of children under 3 years receiving services at a therapeutic nursery serving homeless children |
| Intervention | Mindfulness program |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Program evaluation Stress, psychological Mother-child relations Parenting Mothers Perception Qualitative research Child, preschool Infant Vulnerable populations Female Interviews as topic Young adult Ill-housed persons Attachment Homelessness Maternal sensitivity Pleine conscience Attachement 依附 Obdachlosigkeit Falta de vivienda Plena atención Sensibilité maternelle ホームレスであること マインドフルネス 正念 母親的敏感性 無家可歸 母親の感受性 愛着 Bindung Achtsamkeit Afectividad Sensibilidad materna Mütterliche sensitivität |
| Key findings | Mothers described four perceived benefits of the mindfulness program: "me" time, maternal self-regulation, dyadic connectedness, and child well-being. The authors conclude that mindfulness may support the parent-child relationship and that parenting interventions are critical for families experiencing homelessness and residential instability. |
Abstract
Family homelessness is associated with adverse outcomes in mothers and their young children. Evidence-based programs are needed to support the socioemotional needs of these families. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceived benefits of participating in a mindfulness program in mother-child dyads receiving services at a therapeutic nursery serving homeless children under the age of 3 years. A convenience sample of 17 predominantly African American mothers participated in in-depth qualitative interviews. Four themes were derived from the data regarding the perceived benefits of the mindfulness program: "me" time, maternal self-regulation, dyadic connectedness, and child well-being. Results demonstrate the perceived benefits of mindfulness on the parent-child relationship and have important implications for families at an increased risk of adverse outcomes. Because homelessness and residential instability confer considerable risk for young children, interventions to support effective parenting are critical.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on meditation, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- Improving patient-centered mental health promotion in primary care in vulnerable communities through mindfulness training in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Frontiers in Medicine 2024
- A multi-method exploration of mindfulness as a coping tool: Perspectives from trauma-exposed, unhoused women residing at a drug treatment facility. Stress and Health August 23, 2022
Cites 6
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- The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Journal of Child and Family Studies February 1, 2011
- The Association of Parent Mindfulness with Parenting and Youth Psychopathology Across Three Developmental Stages. Journal of abnormal child psychology 2016
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and 1 more in the library