No abstract

This study tests a group‐based secular contemplative practice intervention, Cognitively‐Based Compassion Training (CBCT), with parents of young children. We report on a randomized controlled preliminary efficacy study. Certified teachers administered CBCT for 20 hr across 8 to 10 weeks in two cohorts of parents with infants and young children. The intervention group was compared to a waitlist control group. Thirty‐nine parents and their children, who ranged in age from 4 months to 5 years, were evaluated at pre‐ and postintervention (n = 25 intervention, n = 14 waitlist control) on hair cortisol concentration. Parents also completed self‐administered questionnaires at both time points regarding demographics, physical symptoms of stress, parenting stress, self‐compassion, and mindfulness. Children of parents in the CBCT group experienced significant decreases in cortisol at the postintervention assessment, as compared with the control group. However, parent cortisol and self‐report measures did not significantly change other than a small effect on clinical levels of parenting stress. CBCT may be a positive new way to intervene with parents to lower infants’ and young children's cumulative physiological stress.