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).

Citation

Lo, H. H. M., Lau, E. N. S., Tam, C. H. L., Ngai, S. W., Chan, S. H. W., Leung, B. F. H., …Singh, N. N. (2022). Effects of a mindful parenting workshop for parents of adolescents and young adults following social unrest in Hong Kong. Mindfulness, 13(1), 248-261. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-021-01790-7

• 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.