Applying Mindfulness to Benefit Economically Disadvantaged Families: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Herman H.M. Lo, Janet Y.H. Wong, Simpson W.L. Wong, Samuel Y.S. Wong, C. W. Choi, Rainbow T.H. Ho, Ricci W.T. Fong, Eline Snel

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

25 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effects of family-based mindfulness intervention (FBMI) to promote the stress management and early development of economically disadvantaged families. Method: Families receiving social security allowance and full textbook allowance and with children aged 5–7 were recruited. Participants were randomized to an FBMI with parallel programs for parents and children (n = 51) and to a wait-list control condition (n = 51). Results: Intent-to-treat analyses showed more significant improvements in child attention, self-regulation, and in parenting stress, in the intervention group than in the control group. At-risk group analyses showed that the high stress group benefited in small to moderate effect sizes in parenting stress and depression, and in moderate to large effect sizes in child behavioral problem and self-regulation. Conclusions: The results provide preliminary support that FBMI can alleviate the impact of economic disadvantage. FBMI should be applied in social work practice to support disadvantaged families.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)753-765
Number of pages13
JournalResearch on Social Work Practice
Volume29
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2019

Keywords

  • child mental health
  • economically disadvantaged families
  • mindfulness-based intervention
  • parenting stress
  • randomized controlled trial

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Sciences (miscellaneous)
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • General Psychology

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