A Model of Mindful Parenting: Implications for Parent-Child Relationships and Prevention Research

Larissa G. Duncan, J. Douglas Coatsworth, Mark T. Greenberg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

423 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

This paper introduces a model of "mindful parenting" as a framework whereby parents intentionally bring moment-to-moment awareness to the parent-child relationship. This is done by developing the qualities of listening with full attention when interacting with their children, cultivating emotional awareness and self-regulation in parenting, and bringing compassion and nonjudgmental acceptance to their parenting interactions. First, we briefly outline the theoretical and empirical literature on mindfulness and mindfulness-based interventions. Next, we present an operational definition of mindful parenting as an extension of mindfulness to the social context of parent-child relationships. We discuss the implications of mindful parenting for the quality of parent-child relationships, particularly across the transition to adolescence, and we the literature on the application of mindfulness in parenting interventions. We close with a synopsis of our own efforts to integrate mindfulness-based intervention techniques and mindful parenting into a well-established, evidence-based family prevention program and our recommendations for future research on mindful parenting interventions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)255-270
Number of pages16
JournalClinical Child and Family Psychology Review
Volume12
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2009

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Education
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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