Mindfulness and associated factors in expectant fathers during the initial COVID-19 response: a cross-sectional study.
Yitong Jia, Bojun Xu, Lijuan Wang, Xiaomin Sun, Yin-Ping Zhang
BMC Psychology July 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-025-02990-9 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 237 |
| Population | Expectant fathers (husbands of pregnant women) in Xi'an, China |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Expectant fathers' mindfulness Paternal mindfulness Fathers-to-be mindfulness Expectant father well-being Covid-19 pandemic impact Pandemic stress Coronavirus effects Global health crisis Chinese family dynamics Chinese couples China parenting Couples' shared well-being Dyadic coping Partnered mindfulness Relationship health |
| Key findings | Expectant fathers' mindfulness scores were positively correlated with those of their pregnant partners, and higher education, income, and urban residence were associated with greater mindfulness. |
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic introduced unprecedented stressors, significantly affecting mental health worldwide. While research has extensively focused on maternal experiences, less attention has been given to the experiences and coping strategies of expectant fathers during this period. Given the recognized benefits of mindfulness in fostering emotional resilience, it is important to examine whether mindfulness practices supported expectant fathers during these challenging times. Therefore, this study aimed to: (a) Characterize the frequency and degree of applied mindfulness practices among expectant fathers during early pandemic conditions. (b) Identify specific sociodemographic and pandemic-related factors associated with their mindfulness practices. (c) Investigate the inter-couple association between expectant fathers' mindfulness practices and those of their pregnant partners. A cross-sectional study design was employed. Using convenience sampling, 237 pregnant women and their husbands were recruited in Xi'an, China, in February 2020, during the first-level response to COVID-19, a major public health emergency. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires that included demographic information and the Applied Mindfulness Process Scale (AMPS). Statistical analyses included non-parametric tests and representational similarity analysis. Among the 237 expectant fathers, the median total AMPS score was 41.00 (33.00, 48.00). Comparing the subscales, median scores were lowest for Decentering at 13.00 (10.00, 15.00) and highest for Positive Emotion Regulation at 15.00 (12.00, 17.00). Non-parametric tests indicated that fathers residing in urban areas exhibited higher total AMPS scores compared to those in rural settings [urban: 42.00 (35.00, 48.50) vs. rural: 35.00 (24.50, 43.50), Z = - 2.875, P = 0.004], and higher education (r = 0.268, P < 0.001) and income levels (r = 0.131, P = 0.043) were linked to elevated AMPS scores. AMPS scores differed significantly based on participants' opinions towards encountering COVID-19 during pregnancy (H = 17.796, P < 0.001). Additionally, expectant fathers' AMPS scores were significantly and positively correlated with those of their pregnant partners (r = 0.291, P < 0.001). The study may contribute to a deeper understanding of psychological coping mechanisms among expectant fathers during periods of heightened external stress, highlighting the importance of considering both individual and dyadic factors in perinatal mental health research.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Experienced meditators and nonmeditating comparison groups | 2008 | Cross-sectional study | |
| Neural Correlates of Dispositional Mindfulness During Affect Labeling Adult participants | 2007 | Observational cross-sectional | n = 27 |
| Assessing mindfulness in children and adolescents: Development and validation of the Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure (CAMM). School-aged children and adolescents | 2011 | Cross-sectional validation study | n = 1,413 |
| Mindfulness and self-compassion as predictors of psychological wellbeing in long-term meditators and matched nonmeditators Experienced meditators and demographically matched nonmeditators | 2012 | Cross-sectional study | n = 152 |
| Mechanisms of Action in the Inverse Relationship Between Mindfulness and Psychological Distress Undergraduates | 2008 | Cross-sectional, correlational |
Citations in the library
Cites 9
- Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects Psychological Inquiry October 19, 2007
- Brief mindfulness training for negative affectivity: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology June 25, 2018
- Differential Item Functioning on the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire Is Minimal in Demographically Matched Meditators and Nonmeditators Assessment December 30, 2010
- The Impact of Mindfulness-Based Counseling on the Mental Health of Women With a History of COVID-19 During Pregnancy: A Quasi-Experimental Study. Brain and Behavior October 1, 2024
- Effectiveness of online mindfulness-based interventions in improving mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PLoS One September 21, 2022
and 4 more in the library