Development of a mindful parenting model for mothers with children in early childhood

Parents' well-being are significant things. Well-being is not only counted for parents’ physical, emotional, and mental conditions as an individual, it also has enormous influences on various aspects of children's development. Parents tend to face challenges, difficulties, and pressures during parenting, especially when caring for children in early childhood. This study aims to determine the role of parental mindfulness and coparenting competence in predicting parental well-being. Three hundred and thirty-one parents of children in early childhood participated in this study. The researchers used the convenience sampling method. Parents completed the Parental Well-Being Scale, Bangor Mindful Parenting Scale, and Coparenting Competence Scale. The result of multiple linear regression analysis indicated that parental mindfulness and coparenting competence have significant roles in predicting parental well-being. The coefficient of determination showed that parental mindfulness and coparenting competence simultaneously explained 15.7% of the parental well-being variance. There are no significant differences in parental well-being between fathers and mothers. This finding indicates the importance of parenting competence in order to improve parental well-being.

Most of the demands and tasks necessary during the development of early childhood center around children’s emotional regulation ability. At this time, parents have an important role in socializing the emotional development to children during parenting practices. This study aimed to determine the role of mindful parenting and coparenting competence simultaneously towards emotional regulation ability in early childhood. 370 parents of children in early childhood participated in this study (173 fathers and 197 mothers) chosen using a purposive sampling method. Parents completed the emotional regulation skill questionnaire, Bangor mindful parenting scale, and coparenting competence scale. The results of multiple linear regression analysis indicated that mindful parenting and coparenting competence have a significant role in predicting children’s emotional regulation competence simultaneously (R2 = 0.121, F (2.369) = 23.01, p < .001). This indicates that improving children’s emotional regulation ability in early childhood is related to the children’s internal factors and the ability of parents to carry out parenting practices and form a good family emotional climate.

Parenting is an important process, and the processes in each phase are challenging, particularly during the phase of early childhood. The challenges in parenting could trigger parenting stress. The ability to give full attention to the conducted parenting process can help parents in coping the parental stress. The process of giving full attention to parenting activities is known as the mindful parenting concept. This study aims to determine the role of mindful parenting to parenting stress of mothers with a child at an early age. This study used a quantitative method. A Mindfulness in Parenting Questionnaire (28 items, α = .915) and Parental Stress Scale (18 items, α = .705) were given to the respondents. The data was collected from 281 respondents (ages 21-54 years, M = 32.75, SD = 5), which was selected through incidental sampling methods. Based on the regression analysis, the results show that mindful parenting has a significant contribution to the low parenting stress level in mothers with child at early age (R = -.260, R2 = .068, β = -0.119, F (1, 280) = 20.153, p < 0.01). This result suggests that mindful parenting skills can be an alternative way to reduce parental stress on mothers with a child in early childhood.

HighlightsWhat are the main findings?The findings revealed that mindful parenting was indirectly associated with children’s picky eating behaviors through the full mediation of parental dietary competence.Both components of parental dietary competence—in dietary nutrition and in dietary regulation—serve as full mediators linking mindful parenting to lower picky eating behaviors.What are the implications of the main findings?Strengthening parental dietary competence may be a key mechanism to translate mindful parenting into healthier eating behaviors among young children.Parenting programs that integrate mindfulness-based approaches with nutrition education may more effectively discourage picky eating and promote healthy habits in early childhood.Background: Picky eating behaviors among children challenge nutritional intake and healthy development and place considerable stress on parents. Parenting approaches play a critical role in shaping young children’s dietary behaviors. Mindful parenting, which refers to parents responding to their child’s needs with awareness, acceptance, attention, and mindful discipline, has gained increasing attention. Parental dietary competence may determine whether mindful parenting effectively discourages picky eating behavior in children. Objectives: This study explored whether mindful parenting and parental dietary competence are associated with picky eating behaviors in young children. The mediating role of parental dietary competence in this association was also investigated. Methods: A total of 412 parents of children enrolled in six preschools across six administrative districts in New Taipei City, Taipei City, and Taoyuan City, Taiwan, were invited and recruited. Data were collected using three validated parent-reported instruments, including a mindful parenting scale, parental dietary competence scale, and children’s picky eating behaviors scale. Results: Mindful parenting influenced children’s picky eating behaviors through the full mediation of parental dietary competence. The identification of parental dietary competence as a mediator underscores the need for early preventive interventions and parenting education that integrate parental mindfulness and dietary competence to foster healthy eating habits from the outset of early childhood. Conclusions: Practical recommendations and future research directions are provided regarding mindful parenting, parental dietary competence, and picky eating behaviors in young children.

Self-efficacy in early parenting is the confidence that a mother has in her ability to meet the demands of the role of new parent. The Parent Expectations Survey (PES) was developed to measure perceptions of self-efficacy in early parenting. This article traces the development and psychometric testing of the PES. The PES was tested on 82 primiparas at 1 and 3 months postpartum. It demonstrated internal consistency reliability and concurrent validity. Those mothers who had higher self-efficacy early in the transition to parenthood had greater confidence in parenting and less stress 1 year after delivery, thus establishing the predictive validity of the instrument. The PES, both easy to use and to score, may be used by clinicians during the perinatal period to ascertain a mother's early perceptions of self-efficacy in parenting. For those mothers with low self-efficacy, interventions to empower them in that new role may then follow.

Aim: The combination of mindfulness, parental self-efficacy and extra-parenting has a significant role in reducing parental stress, especially mothers, and parental stress management is important to promote well-being. Methods: The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of parental mindfulness and self-efficacy in explaining the causal relationship between extravagance and parental stress in mothers of children with autism. Correlational research design based on structural equation modeling and statistical population including all mothers with children 2 to 14 years old with autism referred to medical clinics in Tehran in 1400 that 250 people were selected by purposive sampling and Abidin parenting stress questionnaires. (1995) answered the Mindfulness Questionnaire (Brown and Ryan, 2003), the Trans parenting Questionnaire (Hawke and Holden, 2006) and the Parental Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (Dumka et al., 1996). Data analysis was performed using AMOS software version 24. Results: The results showed that the total path coefficient between extravagance and parental stress (p<0.01, β=-0.456) was negative and the path coefficient between mindfulness and parental stress (p <0.01, β=-0.474).) and parental self-efficacy and parental stress (p<0.01, β= -0.386) were negative and at the level of 0.01 were significant that parental self-efficacy and mindfulness were negatively related to the relationship between extra-parenting and parenting stress and mediated meaningfully. Conclusion: Trans parenting directly and parental mindfulness and self-efficacy directly and indirectly predict parental stress in mothers of children with autism. In order to provide interventions to reduce or prevent high levels of parental stress in families, it is necessary to pay special attention to interventions based on mindfulness, self-efficacy and extravagance in parent-child relationships.

Parental depression is linked to a myriad of child adjustment outcomes. To identify the potential processes between parents’ depressive symptoms and child adjustment in early childhood, this cross-sectional study investigated mindful parenting and children’s self-regulation as mediators. Participants were 320 Chinese families involving maritally intact mothers, fathers, and children (49.01% girls) from 34.73 to 55.66 months old (M = 46.32, SD = 3.77). Mothers and fathers completed self-report questionnaires assessing parental depressive symptoms, mindful parenting, children’s self-regulation, and adjustment outcomes. Children completed a task assessing their self-regulation. A structural equation model was conducted to examine the mediation model cross-sectionally. The structural equation model indicated that mindful parenting and children’s self-regulation mediated the association between parents’ depressive symptoms and children’s adjustment. Specifically, mothers’ and fathers’ depressive symptoms were associated with their own, but not their spouses’, mindful parenting. Mindful parenting was then associated with children’s self-regulation, which was related to internalizing problems, externalizing problems, and prosocial behavior. Differential findings as a function of parents’ gender were also indicated. The present study revealed mindful parenting and children’s self-regulation as mediators between parental depressive symptoms and adjustment in early childhood. Both mothers’ and fathers’ depressive symptoms were associated with mindful parenting, which was crucial for children’s self-regulation, psychosocial adjustment, and behavioral adjustment. These findings inform practitioners about the relevance of parents’ depressive symptoms and mindful parenting to children’s adjustment in early childhood.

This study evaluated associations among parenting stress, self-efficacy, and involvement in relation to spoken language outcomes in young children 3 years following cochlear implantation. Cross-sectional. Six university tertiary medical centers. One hundred sixty-four young children with bilateral, severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss who had 3 years of experience with a CI; children with substantial cognitive impairments were excluded from the study. Family Stress Scale (FSS), Scale of Parental Involvement and Self-Efficacy (SPISE), Oral and Written Language Scales (OWLS). Correlations were of moderate strength between FSS scores and SPISE scores (Parental Self-Efficacy, r = -0.45, p < 0.01, Parental Involvement r = -0.32, p < 0.01). As hypothesized, parents reporting higher levels of stress reported lower perceptions of self-efficacy and involvement. In addition, results showed that family stress had a direct, negative effect on spoken language (-4.43 [95% confidence interval: -6.97; -1.89]). After controlling for maternal education and activation age, parental self-efficacy mediated the negative effect between family stress and spoken language (indirect effect = -1.91 [3.45; -0.69]; proportion mediated = 0.43). No mediating effects were found for parental involvement. These findings highlight the need for parenting interventions that focus on reducing stressors and increasing parents' perceptions of self-efficacy in families of children using cochlear implants. Integration of mental health screening and tailored parenting interventions in CI clinics may increase parental self-efficacy and involvement, with measurable benefits in the child's use of spoken language.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between children's social skills in early childhood, mindfulness in parenting, and mindfulness in marriage. The research was conducted based on the correlational survey model. The participants are 279 parents with children aged 3-7 years. The instruments that used for data collection were the Preschool and Kindergarten Behavior Scale (PKBS-2), Mindfulness in Marriage Scale (MMS), Mindfulness in Parenting Questionnaire (MPQ) and Personal Information Form. Independent samples t-test, correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis were used to analyze the data. The results show that mindfulness in marriage and mindfulness in parenting have a positive and significant relationship with social skills in early childhood. According to the results of the regression analysis, mindfulness in marriage and mindfulness in parenting are significant predictors of children’s social skills. The regression model has explained 27% of social skills. The research findings were discussed in light of the literature.

This paper explores the concept of mindful parenting and its association with prosocial behaviors in children. Mindfulness, characterized by non-judgmental, present-centered awareness, has been linked to enhanced emotional regulation and stress reduction. The application of mindfulness to parenting, as outlined in the mindful parenting model, includes aspects such as attentive listening, nonjudgmental acceptance, parent self-regulation, emotional awareness, and compassion.While mindful parenting interventions have gained attention, the paper emphasizes the need for a more thorough exploration of mindful parenting in the context of the parent-child relationship. The study reviews existing literature, noting that mindful parenting can positively impact parent-child interactions, reduce stress, enhance parenting satisfaction, and foster children's prosocial behaviors.The paper also delves into the developmental aspects of prosocial behavior in children, defining it as self-motivated, voluntary actions intendedto benefit others. Prosocial behaviors, such as sharing and cooperation, have been observed in early childhood and are associated with positive outcomes like well-being and academic performance.The association between mindful parenting and children's prosocial behaviors is examined, with evidence suggesting that parents practicing mindful parenting contribute to greater prosocial behaviors in their children. Studies indicate that mindful parenting interventions can lead to improved child outcomes, reducedbehavioral difficulties, and increased social competence.Furthermore, the paper discusses the broader impact of mindful parenting on various age groups, including adolescents. Mindful parenting has been associated with lower internalizing and externalizing symptoms, emphasizing its positive influence on youth mental health and overall well-being.In conclusion, the paper highlights the importance of incorporating mindfulness into parenting interventions to enhance their effectiveness. The findings underscore the positive outcomes associated with mindful parenting, advocating for its integration into parenting programs for a more comprehensive and holistic approach to child development.

Parenting stress is a common challenge experienced by parents of young children, often leading to negative emotional and behavioral consequences. Mindful parenting has emerged as an effective strategy to reduce parenting stress by fostering awareness, emotional regulation, and responsive interactions between parents and children. This study employs a qualitative approach through a literature review (library research) to explore the role of mindful parenting in alleviating stress among parents with young children. By analyzing existing theoretical frameworks and empirical findings, this research highlights how mindfulness-based practices enhance parental well-being and improve parent-child relationships. Key components of mindful parenting, such as present-moment awareness, nonjudgmental acceptance, self-compassion, and emotional responsiveness, are discussed in relation to their impact on stress reduction. Findings indicate that mindful parenting contributes to lower levels of stress, increased emotional resilience, and greater parental satisfaction. Furthermore, the literature suggests that mindfulness interventions, such as meditation, breathing exercises, and structured programs, can effectively enhance mindful parenting skills. This study underscores the importance of integrating mindful parenting practices into family life and parenting programs to promote healthier parent-child interactions. The results provide valuable insights for psychologists, educators, and policymakers in developing strategies to support parents in managing stress effectively. Future research should explore the practical application of mindful parenting in diverse family contexts to ensure broader applicability.

O19 A Mindful Parenting Intervention for Obesity Prevention in Early Childhood

There is some evidence that mindful parenting is a parenting approach that involves parents in adolescent behaviour. However, only a few studies have investigated the relationship between mindful parenting to early childhood resilience. This research aims to analyze the relationship between mindful parenting and early childhood resilience through a non-mediation correlation study. The method used is regression analysis with the cluster sampling technique. The research sample consisted of 135 mothers who had young children. The mindful parenting research instrument uses the IM-P scale, and resilience uses the RMS-25 scale, which has been adapted according to research needs. The instrument was declared valid and reliable with a Cronbach alpha value greater than 0.6, namely 0.904 for mindful parenting and 0.951 for resilience. The research results show that mindful parenting is positively correlated with children's resilience. This is proven by the significance value (0.000 greater than 0.05) and the coefficient of determination value of 41.4%, and the rest is influenced by other variables that were not researched. Mindful parenting fosters children's resilience so that it can build the ability to manage emotions, make decisions, identify problems, and respect oneself and others.

Postpartum mental health symptoms are associated with parenting difficulties, which have negative consequences for child development. Interventions for young mothers should target their mental health problems and parenting difficulties. Mindful with Your Baby (MwyB) is an intervention for parents, with a baby, who experience (mental) health problems and/or stress or insecurity in parenting. This study seeks to replicate previous effects of MwyB regarding mindfulness, mindful parenting, maternal (mental) health (psychological distress, depressive mood, physical health complaints) and parenting outcomes (parenting stress, parental self-efficacy, bonding), and gain insight into the working mechanisms of the training. Mothers with babies aged 1–18 months (n = 61) completed questionnaires at waitlist, pretest, posttest, and 8-week follow-up. No significant differences were seen between the waitlist and pretest. Significant improvements in all outcomes were shown in the posttest (except for physical health complaints) and follow-up, compared to the pretest. Improvements in depressive symptoms and physical health complaints were dependent on improvements in mindfulness. Improvements in parental self-efficacy were dependent on improvements in mindful parenting. Improvements in some (mental) health and parenting outcomes seemed to be bidirectional. The results suggest that both mindfulness and mindful parenting are important for mothers who experience psychological distress and/or stress or insecurity in parenting their babies.

Instilling healthy behaviors in early childhood is crucial as they can have lifelong impacts. However, many Chinese mothers lack effective parenting strategies, resulting in low self-efficacy. Positive Discipline, a non-punitive and non-indulgent approach, can help enhance maternal parenting self-efficacy and promote healthy lifestyle behaviors in children. This study explores the impact of a Positive Discipline group intervention on the parenting self-efficacy of Chinese mothers and how it can contribute to promoting diet and healthy lifestyle behaviors in early childhood. We randomly selected 70 mothers with low parenting self-efficacy from a kindergarten in China, dividing them into an intervention group (35 participants) and a control group (35 participants). The intervention group received a 6-week Positive Discipline intervention, while the control group received no intervention. The intervention aimed at helping mothers nurture their children in a kind and firm manner. We used paired samples t-tests and independent samples t-tests to compare changes in parenting self-efficacy scores before and after the intervention. Results showed that the intervention group's parenting self-efficacy scores significantly improved after the intervention, from an average score of 25.00 ± 4.08 to 36.29 ± 2.99 (p < 0.05, Cohen's d = 3.156). Significant improvements were observed in areas like "believing their parenting style benefits their child's growth" and "knowing how to effectively parent their children." The control group's average scores showed no significant changes between pre- and post-intervention (pre: 25.07 ± 5.33; post: 24.86 ± 5.75, p > 0.05, Cohen's d = 0.076). Furthermore, 3 months post-intervention, the intervention group's scores remained significantly higher than pre-intervention (p < 0.05), demonstrating the intervention's lasting effect. This study demonstrates that the Positive Discipline group intervention significantly enhances parenting self-efficacy in Chinese mothers, promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors in early childhood. Providing continuous support and guidance to mothers can help solidify their parenting confidence, ensuring long-term intervention success. Future research should explore how group interventions can effectively integrate healthy behaviors into early childhood routines and impact children's diet and lifestyle behaviors.