Randomised Controlled Trial of Compassionate Mind Training to Improve Parent Wellbeing and Child Behaviour

INTERVENTION: Compassion‐Focused Therapy aims to help individuals with self‐criticism and emotional distress (Gilbert, 2014). Previous research suggests that even brief programs may be effective in helping alleviate stress and suffering and promoting wellbeing (Leaviss & Uttley, 2015; Gilbert & Maratos, 2017). Compassion‐focused therapy (CFT) was developed by Professor Paul Gilbert from the Centre for Compassion Research and Training at the University of Derby, UK. The theoretical underpinning of CFT draws upon evolutionary psychology, attachment theory, and applied psychology processes from neuroscience and social psychology. The Compassionate Mind Training (CMT) program is comprised of one brief 2‐hour seminar, which will focus on practices including: (1) a soothing rhythm breathing practice ; (2) a practice focused on creating friendly facial expressions and voice tones as part of compassion; (3) a practice aimed to develop mindfulness and increase attention to one's current mental state; (4) a practice aimed to develop the sense of a compassionate self that is based upon feelings of wisdom, strength and commitment to be supportive and helpful to self and others; (5) an imagery practice aimed to develop a compassionate image of another mind that has caring intent towards the self; and (6) a practice aimed to develop a compassionate self that has caring intent towards the self and how to use compassion focusing to work with self‐criticism and life difficulties. Ultimately, the proposed research will establish whether such a brief 2‐hour intervention is beneficial to participants in terms of their wellbeing, parenting style, and child's behaviour (in comparison to a wait‐list control sample drawn from the same population). The brief nature of the CMT intervention is significantly more cost‐effective compared to manualised parenting and/or therapeutic interventions; thus, allowing the possibility of dissemination to greater numbers of parents at any given time, and opens up the possibility of population‐level effects that are consistent with the public health model of prevention, in addition to treatment. The CMT group seminar will be delivered in‐person by Dr James Kirby (Clinical Psychologist and UQ lecturer) at facilities provided by UQ's School of Psychology, St Lucia (Brisbane). At the group seminar, all participants will be provided with workbooks and access to audio recorded meditations to help facilitate independent practice of CMT. A practice diary will also need to be completed, which asks participants to reflect on their experience in the 2 weeks after attending the seminar. CONDITION: Self‐criticism PRIMARY OUTCOME: Participant self‐report of compassion as assessed by The Compassionate Engagement and Action Scales and The Fears of Compassion Scales Participant self‐report of parenting as assessed by The Parenting Scale Participant self‐report of self‐criticism as assessed by The Forms of Self‐Criticising/Attacking and Self‐Reassuring Scale and The Functions of Self‐Criticising/Self‐Attacking Scale SECONDARY OUTCOME: Parental report of child behaviour as assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire Parental report of external shame as assessed by the Other as Shamer Scale Psychosocial adjustment as assessed by The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS‐21) and The Warwick‐Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale INCLUSION CRITERIA: Inclusion criteria for participants will be that parents/caregivers must: ‐ Have at least one child between the ages of 3 and 9 years. ‐ Demonstrate a level of self‐criticism towards their own parenting style. ‐ Be concerned about their child's social, emotional, and/or behavioural functioning.