Effects of a mindful parenting workshop for parents of adolescents and young adults following social unrest in Hong Kong

Lo, Herman Hay Ming; Lau, Elsa Nga Sze; Tam, Cherry Hiu Lin; Ngai, So Wa; Chan, Sunny Ho Wan; Leung, Bobby Fook Hin; Wong, Emma Ting; Wong, Elisabeth Wai Yin; Wong, Gloria Oi Chi; Cho, Wan Chi; Tsang, Alfert Wai Kiu; Singh, Nirbhay N.

Abstract

Objectives: The social unrest that began in Hong Kong in 2019 became a threat to public mental health, such as for depression and post-traumatic stress disorders. A supportive family environment is the most effective protective factor for mental health problems for young people who are exposed to conflict and violence. This study investigated the outcomes of a brief mindful parenting workshop on parent mental health and family functioning. Methods: Using a randomized controlled trial design, 54 parents of adolescents and young adults were randomized into intervention group and waitlist control group. Depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress symptoms, negative emotions, family functioning, and family conflicts were measured at baseline (pretest), following training, and at 3-month follow-up. Results: We found a significant improvement in family functioning among parents in the intervention group when compared to those parents in the control group (F [1, 51] = 4.41, p =.04). When we further controlled the child-initiated physical conflict as covariate, a significant reduction of self-rated levels of depressive symptoms was found in the parents from the intervention group when compared to the parents in the control group (F [1, 49] = 5.14, p =.03). Conclusions: We found preliminary evidence that a brief mindful parenting workshop can strengthen parent and family mental health at times of social unrest. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04427683).

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 2, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Dec 2, 2021
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2022
• Deposit Date: Oct 30, 2022
• Journal: Mindfulness
• Print ISSN: 1868-8527
• Electronic ISSN: 1868-8535
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 13
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 248-261
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-021-01790-7
• Keywords: Applied Psychology; Developmental and Educational Psychology; Experimental and Cognitive Psychology; Health (social science); Social Psychology
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10110555
• Publisher URL: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12671-021-01790-7
• Additional Information: Accepted: 9 November 2021; First Online: 2 December 2021; Change Date: 21 December 2021; Change Type: Correction; Change Details: A Correction to this paper has been published:; Change Details: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-021-01812-4; : ; : Ethical approval for this study has been obtained from the Human Subjects Ethics Sub-Committee of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The research team explained all information about the study in a briefing session and all participants signed a written consent form.; : The authors declare no competing interests.; Free to read: This content has been made available to all.