Mindfulness-based Well-being for Parents MBW-P - Supporting parents to improve parent-child relationships
Mindfulness Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; • on purpose, • in the present moment, • and non-judgementally Jon Kabat-Zinn, Full Catastrophe Living 1990
Standard Mindfulness training • 8 x 2 or 2.5 weekly sessions • Group - often mixed clients - up to 24 in a group • Commitment to 45 mins. of home practice a day • Handbook consists of written background material - e.g. poems, theoretical concepts • Bringing greater awareness may make things feel worse temporarily • Evidence for efficacy for a wide range of clinical and sub-clinical conditions - particularly chronic stress
Potential benefits of Mindful Parenting • Reduces Stress • Improves executive function • Decreases the cycle of intergenerational habits • Develops self nourishing and compassion • Improves relationships • Is Likely to have an impact on attachment behaviours Bogels, (2010); Siegel, (2003) • Teaching mindfulness to parents has an effect on the behaviour of the child (Singh)
Overlap among secure attachment and mindful awareness 1.Bodily regulation 2.Attuned communication 3.Emotional balance 4.Response flexibility 5.Empathy 6.Insight (self knowing awareness) 7.Fear Modulation Siegel 2007
Feasibility and acceptability • Issue of feasibility and acceptability for any parents but especially for those dealing with multiple stressors. • May feel counter-cultural • On-going support – especially if difficulties feel exacerbated • How to adapt the programme without losing it’s potency. • Important to have mindfulness skills as well as skills/knowledge of the client group. • More funding needed in order to collect evidence of the efficacy of the programme
Community-based and integrated • Developed a relevant and accessible approach; cultural and language issues • Informed participants and encouraged ‘opt in’ (also allowed opt out) Integrated between session support from the HV team • • Integrated mindfulness into the existing programme activities • Undertook Staff Training and information sessions • Adapted the programme • Reduced written materials and participants create their own handbooks • Home practices were shorter • More emphasis on ‘informal’ practice • Explained more ‘upfront’ to increase motivation • Included teaching on affect / emotion regulation and integrated that with attachment theory
Observations - What they said From parents • I’m noticing more - • I’m using breathing space to help in managing children - making a noticeable difference in children’s behaviour • I have shared with families & friends • I can talk better with my partner about how I’m feeling • It has built my confidence and helped me with coping • I now enjoy the walk to school and don’t worry so much about getting there quickly • Taking time at meal times has changed the families eating habits • Managed a difficult case conference better
Spin offs • Further ways to integrate mindfulness, e.g. Mindful baby massage • Interest shown within larger staff group within the NHS - e.g. other Health visitors/Nurses/Managers • Genesis – skills for return to work programme • Spreading out geographically – offering the programme from other centres • Other community organisations are interested. E.g. Women's Aid Centre, Communities First • Interest in using MBW-P as a pre course for other parenting programmes such as Incredible Years.
Summary of key findings • The approach can be delivered in an acceptable way. • Early results indicate that the programme seems to lead to an increase in well-being in multiply stressed mothers. • The programme needs to be delivered in a flexible way • Staff development is an important ingredient • This project has initiated interest in other community groups and there is potential to develop more
• The MBW-P programme has been further developed to extend to other groups of parents’ • Parents of children with intellectual disability PhD student Leah Jones (current research) • MBW-P for foster parents started Jan 2013 Dusana Dorjee & Eluned Gold • Community programme continues and data is being collected - Sophie Pratt - BCHB
Recommend
More recommend
