“Nurturing parents”–Mindfulness-based parent well-being group in pediatric cystic fibrosis.

Abstract

2021) "Nurturing parents" -mindfulness-based parent well-being group in pediatric cystic fibrosis. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology, 9 (2). pp. 123-134.

Incorporating DEI informed-frameworks and increasing access to parent-focused interventions in pediatric psychology.

“…In our first special issue, we specifically selected articles that explored alternative modes of treatment delivery for parent-focused interventions and programmatic considerations for the implementation of such services to increase access to vulnerable populations (e.g., Goertz et al, 2021; Harris et al, 2021; Jemcov et al, 2021). However, to date, the majority of formalized parent screening and intervention often occurs through research programs rather than as a standard of care in clinical practice, with minoritized groups having historically limited inclusion in, or access to, mental health research (Harris et al, 2020).…”

“…The recognition of parent mental health needs in the context of pediatric settings has been identified as an area of unmet need, with implementing services and research in this domain determined to be an ethical imperative for pediatric psychologists (Kahhan & Junger, 2021). This has been highlighted not only across published interventions targeting child health and behaviors via parent training (e.g., Kichler & Kaugars, 2021), but also in services provided for parents which can indirectly impact child health through improved parent wellbeing (e.g., mindfulness training, depression screening; Harris et al, 2021; Lovejoy et al, 2000). This was explored in our previous special issue “Parent/Guardian Targeted Interventions in Pediatric Psychology” (Kahhan & Junger, 2021) where ethical, logistical, and service development considerations for parent screening and interventions were explored under best practice guidelines from the American Psychological Association (APA;, e.g., Maragakis et al, 2021).…”

Introduction to the special interest issue on parent/guardian interventions in pediatric psychology: The role of the pediatric psychologist working with caregivers as the target of intervention.

“…In the realm of standardized screening, Buchholz et al (2021) takes a broad approach in describing the implementation of universal screening for parent mental health and social determinants of health in 3 hospital system-based primary care clinics serving unique, diverse, and at-risk populations. Several articles in this issue highlight the importance of pediatric psychologists in addressing parents’ mental health in the context of caring for a child’s medical needs (for example, specific to parental postraumatic stress following traumatic pediatric injury in Riley et al (2021) and specific to parent mental health in youth with cystic fibrosis in Harris et al (2021)); while additional articles such as those by Jemcov and colleagues (2021) and Kichler and Kaugars (2021) examine parent specific intervention and training with the focus of engaging parents as active members of the treatment team toward improving child health and functioning (for example, improving adolescent self-management behaviors in youth living with diabetes in Kichler and Kaugars and improving child sleep behaviors in Jemcov et al, 2021 ). The article by Lee and colleagues included treatment targets both specific to parent training to optimize youth outcomes, as well as integrating ACT principles to address parental psychological flexibility, mindfulness, acceptance, and values-based actions (2021).…”

Are mindfulness groups more mindful face to face or online? A comparison of delivering a mindfulness based well-being group for parents of children with a chronic health condition

“…It is a mindfulness-based well-being course for parents (MBWP). Whilst not designed specifically for parents of children with chronic health conditions, it has been delivered to parents living within socially disadvantaged neighbourhoods (Eames et al, 2015) and to parents of children with developmental disabilities (Jones et al, 2018) and cystic fibrosis (Harris et al, 2021). Four key aspects from MBWP fitted with our population:(1) The practices taught are designed to fit around the busy life of parents: formal practices are short and parents are invited to incorporate informal practices (mindful eating, mindful activity with your child) into daily life.(2) The emphasis on self-compassion is important for overstretched parents to allow themselves to prioritise their own well-being in circumstances where their child’s well-being may always be considered a priority.(3) The group format is anticipated to reduce feelings of isolation by creating a community of parents who could use ideas from mindfulness to help negotiate the challenges of having a child with a chronic illness as well as learn from and support each other.(4) The course fits well with the strength-based, collaborative approach which is widely drawn on by the team’s child and adolescent psychology service at University College London Hospital (UCLH) (Casdagli, 2019).…”

“…It is a mindfulness-based well-being course for parents (MBWP). Whilst not designed specifically for parents of children with chronic health conditions, it has been delivered to parents living within socially disadvantaged neighbourhoods (Eames et al, 2015) and to parents of children with developmental disabilities (Jones et al, 2018) and cystic fibrosis (Harris et al, 2021). Four key aspects from MBWP fitted with our population:…”