A Mindful Parenting Program for Parents Concerned About Child Internalizing Problems: a Randomized Controlled Feasibility Study.

Objectives: This study sought to establish four aspects of feasibility for a mindful parenting program: demand for the program from parents with concerns regarding their child's internalizing problems, acceptability of the program to those parents, preliminary efficacy, and the likelihood of successful expansion of the program to the intended population. Methods: The study was a pilot, randomized controlled trial comparing a mindful parenting program to waitlist. Participants were parents ( Results: Feasibility was established for the four aspects assessed. The program was well-attended and acceptable to parents. Moderate to large effects were found in favor of the intervention group for most parent and child outcomes. Weekly data showed improved coping in difficult parenting situations. Qualitative feedback suggested that parents believed that increased acceptance and empathy had helped them cope with child internalizing problems. Conclusions: Mindful parenting programs may assist parents of children with internalizing problems to manage parenting stress and emotionally regulate themselves, even in difficult parenting moments. They may also reduce child internalizing problems, through improved parental emotion regulation, and greater acceptance of and empathy for their child. Trial Registration: Australian Clinical Trials Registry, registration number ACTRN12620000690954.