Open AccessThe Mindfulness‐enhanced Strengthening Families Program: Integrating brief mindfulness activities and parent training within an evidence‐based prevention program
Author(s) -
Coatsworth J. Douglas,
Duncan Larissa G.,
Berrena Elaine,
Bamberger Katharine T.,
Loeschinger Daniel,
Greenberg Mark T.,
Nix Robert L.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
new directions for youth development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1537-5781
pISSN - 1533-8916
DOI - 10.1002/yd.20096
Subject(s) - mindfulness , psychology , intervention (counseling) , active listening , compassion , feeling , empirical evidence , psychotherapist , parent training , clinical psychology , developmental psychology , applied psychology , social psychology , philosophy , epistemology , psychiatry , political science , law
Teaching mindfulness to parents as well as adolescents through a family‐centered intervention approach can have a positive impact on the parent–youth relationship. In mindful parenting, caretakers are aware of their own feelings and emotions, and interact with their adolescents in a mindful way by demonstrating emotional awareness, attentive listening, nonjudgment, self‐regulation, and compassion. This chapter discusses the need for family‐centered mindfulness approaches in adolescence. It introduces the Mindfulness‐enhanced Strengthening Families Program, describes specific program activities and their theoretical rationale, and presents initial empirical evidence from pilot studies of the intervention.