Parallel Parent–Child Mindfulness Intervention Among Chinese Migrant Families: A Mixed-Methods Feasibility Study

Abstract

Purpose

This study examines the feasibility and effects of a parallel parent–child mindfulness intervention on parenting stress, child behavior, and parent–child relationship among low-income migrant families.

Methods

Using a quasi-experimental design, 21 Chinese migrant parents and one child of each parent were assigned to an 8-week intervention (n = 11 pairs) or waitlist control (n = 10 pairs). Semi-structured qualitative interviews and pre–post quantitative measures were used to assess intervention feasibility and effects.

Results

Qualitative interviews suggest mindfulness training promotes family well-being through enhanced parental and child emotional regulation. Quantitative results suggest within-group parenting stress significantly decreased in the intervention group (partial η² = .423) but not in controls (partial η² = .000); between-group analyses showed a nonsignificant, medium effect size on parenting stress (partial η² = .069).

Conclusions

The intervention shows good feasibility and initial support for reducing parenting stress. Future research requires a larger randomized controlled trial among high-stress populations such as migrant families.

Keywords

family mindfulness migrant parenting parallel intervention

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