Comparing the effectiveness of parent management training and mindful parenting program: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

<p>Parent Management Training (PMT) is a widely adopted intervention that focuses on equipping parent with parenting skills. It has been effective in promoting parent-child relationships, reducing parental stress and alleviating children’s behavioural problems. In recent decades, there is a growing interest in applying mindfulness in parenting interventions. Mindful Parenting (MP) programs have been shown to improve parent–child relationships, parental stress, and parents’ emotional competence. This study compared the effectiveness of PMT and MP as preventive interventions. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 189 parents of primary school children. They were randomly assigned to either the PMT, MP, or waitlist control group. Data were collected at baseline, post-intervention, and two-month follow-up. The results indicated that both PMT and MP were effective in reducing parental stress and improving parent-child relationship, parents’ sense of competence and parenting practices. Nonetheless, the MP program produced a more lasting effect on parents’ emotion regulation, while the PMT showed a greater impact on improving parental efficacy. Interestingly, both interventions enhanced parental mindfulness. These findings support the application of PMT and MP as preventive interventions, each with their unique relative strengths. The study also sheds light on the mechanisms of change underlying these interventions.<br></p>