PM2067: Parents’ Perspectives on the Barriers and Benefits to Practicing Mindfulness

Background: Parenting stress can affect both parent and child mental health. One empirically supported approach to addressing stress is mindfulness. Parent perspectives on mindfulness practice remain unknown. This study sought to understand parents' perspectives on the barriers and benefits of practicing mindfulness and preferred approaches to learn about it.

Methods: Qualitative interviews were conducted by phone with parents age 18 or older who have at least one child (0-18 years of age). Participants were recruited from the outpatient pediatric clinics of a large academic medical center. Parents were asked about their familiarity and level of engagement with mindfulness using Likert scale questions. Questions also focused on perceived barriers and benefits to practice and learn about mindfulness. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed; thematic analysis was performed using the constant comparative method.

Results: Twenty-six parents participated; 89% were female (n = 23) and 85% (n = 22) reported children under age 10. Almost half (46%, n = 12) reported they were “somewhat familiar” with mindfulness while over half (54%, n = 14) reported that they were familiar or very familiar. The first theme was the lack of knowledge and uncertainty on how to practice mindfulness; one participant discussed struggles with “getting my mind to stop going off on different directions” while practicing mindfulness. The second theme was lack of time and support. One participant described that “there’s not a lot of time for stress relief;” another reported that they could practice if “I just had more institutional support.” The third theme was benefits to personal and relational health; one participant described how mindfulness “gave me a positive outlook and calmed the chaos in my mind.” The fourth theme was the importance of trust in individuals sharing mindfulness information. One parent described parents’ willingness to learn about mindfulness from their healthcare provider: “I think I would because they know that person, it’s not a stranger.”

Conclusion: Findings support the importance of exposing parents to mindfulness practices by a trusted source and providing ongoing guidance on how to practice. Future studies should explore ways that parents can learn about mindfulness and other mind body practices and be supported through places they live and work: their workplaces, in the community and through the health care system.