Integrative Review of the Relationship Between Mindfulness-Based Parenting Interventions and Depression Symptoms in Parents.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to synthesize findings on the relationship between mindfulness-based parenting interventions and symptoms of depression in parents.
Results Summary
Randomized controlled trials showed significant positive treatment effects on depression symptoms, while descriptive studies found significant inverse associations between mindfulness and depression scores. However, studies varied in participant characteristics, intervention details, and measurement tools.
Population
Parents, primarily mothers, with a small to moderate percentage of fathers included in some studies.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mindfulness-based parenting interventions | decrease | symptoms of depression | parents | - | had significant positive treatment effects | #1 |
mindfulness | decrease | depression scores | - | - | significant inverse associations | #2 |
OBJECTIVE: To synthesize the research findings about the relationship between mindfulness-based parenting interventions and symptoms of depression in parents. DATA SOURCES: The terms mindfulness, parent or mother, and depression were used to search PubMed, the Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Scopus, and PsychInfo/OVID databases. A limitation was not set for date of publication. STUDY SELECTION: The database searches resulted in 198 articles for abstract review, 7 of which remained after the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Three randomized controlled trials and four descriptive studies were included in the review. Three studies included mothers as the only participants; the other studies included a small to moderate percentage of fathers. DATA EXTRACTION: Studies were reviewed for findings relevant to the relationship between mindfulness-based parenting interventions and symptoms of depression in parents according to their respective research designs. DATA SYNTHESIS: Analysis of the randomized controlled trials showed that mindfulness-based parenting interventions had significant positive treatment effects on symptoms of depression. Analysis of the descriptive studies showed significant inverse associations between mindfulness and depression scores. Although findings were consistent across the studies, the studies varied significantly in participant characteristics, intervention frequency and duration, and measurement tools. CONCLUSION: Further research is recommended with regard to the use of mindfulness-based parenting interventions to influence symptoms of depression in diverse populations. Samples of parents with culturally, economically, or racially diverse backgrounds have not been well-studied in relation to mindfulness-based parenting. Consistent use of frameworks, intervention types, and measurement tools across studies will strengthen the body of evidence.