Family Mindfulness Training for Childhood ADHD: Short- and Long-Term Effects on Children, Fathers and Mothers

Abstract Objectives We evaluated the effects of family mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) “MYmind” for children with ADHD and their parents, examined child parent predictors outcome. Methods Using a pragmatic quasi-experimental waitlist design, aged 7–19 years ( n = 167), clinically referred DSM-IV diagnosis, both parents completed (average waiting time was 8 weeks), pre-test, post-test, 8-week, 1-year follow-up measurements. MYmind consisted eight weekly 1.5-h group sessions parallel session. assessed children’s parents’ symptoms other psychopathology, executive function, parental stress, overreactivity, mindful parenting. Results Multilevel analyses revealed medium-to-large effect-sized reduced between pre- becoming stronger at follow-ups, while no occurred. Parents above threshold improved on adult similar sized effects. Children’s parenting improved, whereas stress only follow-up. Child age, gender, medication, ADHD, participation did not predict Parent gender however interacted to outcome; fathers (but mothers) more than below post-test 8-week Reduced paternal from mediated this effect. Conclusions Family MBI (MYmind) may reduce childhood improve functioning. Fathers appear important in helping offspring ADHD.