The contemplative science community has made significant efforts to introduce mindfulness practices to children and adolescents, yet research has shown limited benefits for this population. For instance, the MYRIAD Trial found no significant impact on social-emotional-behavioral functioning compared to the control group. This highlights the need for more effective mindfulness interventions for youth, who are particularly vulnerable to mental health disorders. Our study proposes a novel approach by involving both parents and children in mindfulness practices using a digital mindfulness meditation platform. This two-arm randomized controlled trial will compare the effects of child-only versus parent-child mindfulness meditation on emotion regulation, stress, and mental health outcomes. We hypothesize that involving parents will enhance the effectiveness of mindfulness for both children and parents, leveraging parent-child co-regulation to improve well-being. With a large sample size of 300 parent-child dyads, the study aims to fill a gap in current research by exploring the potential benefits of joint parent-child mindfulness practices in reducing stress and improving mental health for both parent and child.
Varela Grant
