Changes in Parent Psychological Flexibility after a One-Time Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Parents of Adolescents with Persistent Pain Conditions.

Danielle Ruskin,Sara Ahola Kohut,Lauren Campbell,Jennifer Stinson

doi:10.3390/children5090121

Abstract

Parenting a child with chronic pain can be stressful and impact parent functioning in a variety of areas. Several studies have examined mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for parents of children with different health and mental health conditions. However, no studies to date have examined MBIs for parents of children with pain conditions. This study aimed to: (1) determine the feasibility and acceptability of a one-time MBI workshop for parents (n = 34) of adolescents with painful conditions (chronic pain and inflammatory bowel disease) who were participating in a concurrent mindfulness group for adolescents with pain, and (2) examine changes in parent mindfulness and psychological flexibility following the intervention. A mixed-method design was used. In terms of feasibility and acceptability, high recruitment and retention rates were observed, and parents reported high satisfaction scores with the workshop. Changes pre to post intervention showed that dimensions of parent psychological flexibility, but not parent mindfulness, improved following participation in the workshop. Qualitative analyses based on parent responses on a questionnaire uncovered seven themes of parent “takeaways” following participation in the workshop: Mindfulness Skills, Not Alone, Psychological Flexibility, Parent–Child Interactions, Self-Efficacy, Optimism/Positivity/Hope, and Awareness of Values. Taken together, these findings suggest that a one-time MBI workshop offered to parents whose teen was participating in a concurrent mindfulness group for pain is a feasible and promising intervention for parents of children with pain conditions.

Highlights

Chronic pain affects one-third of children and adolescents [1] and impacts children’s quality of life across multiple domains including physical, emotional, school attendance, and loss of social interactions [2,3]
The parent mindfulness workshop was provided to parents of adolescents who were participating in the mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs)-Adapted for chronic pain (MBI-A), an eight-week mindfulness group adapted for children with a chronic health condition
One parent noted a desire to abide by her values on a daily basis for her daughter: “awareness of the values I want to uphold for her every day” (Participant, Chronic Pain Group). This is the first study of its kind to examine a one-time mindfulness workshop for parents of adolescents with pain conditions

Summary

Introduction

Chronic pain affects one-third of children and adolescents [1] and impacts children’s quality of life across multiple domains including physical (e.g., activity limitations, sleep disturbance), emotional (e.g., anxiety and depression), school attendance, and loss of social interactions [2,3]. Parenting a child or adolescent with chronic pain can be extremely stressful, sometimes devastating, and has been associated with far-reaching social, relational, and emotional challenges for parents [7]. Clinically significant levels of anxiety and depression have been documented in the parents of children with chronic pain [2]. Within this context, a renewed research focus on parents of children and adolescents with chronic pain is warranted, including a focus on determining optimal methods of intervening with parents either individually or as part of child-focused treatments [9]

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