Mindful Parenting - A Single Case Experimental Design Study

Some parents of children living with a visible difference can experience heightened stress due to the associated challenges of this. Parent's views of the child's visible difference and their responses to the child are important. Mindful parenting approaches have been found to reduce stress or distress for parents of children with disabilities, physical health problems and skin conditions. This study will be completed with a small number of participants (around six to 12). Participants will be parents or carers of a child living with a visible difference aged four to 16 years, who are experiencing stress. Parents or carers will complete an online mindful parenting intervention (called Two Hearts) including video content, audio files and a workbook, over six weeks. Over the twelve-week study period participants will also provide the following information which will be compared over time: * Complete four group support sessions during the intervention via videoconferencing * Complete questionnaires at four timepoints * Provide information about their use of the intervention materials and home practice weekly * Answer two questions daily via text message about parenting stress levels We hope to learn about the initial effects of the mindful parenting programme for parents or carers of children living with a visible difference. We also hope to learn whether parents or carers find completing an online programme possible and practical. Finally, we hope to learn what parents' or carers' views are of the online programme and whether this type of intervention in online format would be helpful for other parents or carers.

Sex

All

Minimum age

16 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

* Parents aged over 16 years, of children aged between four (4)-16 years living with a visible difference
* All types and aetiologies of child visible differences including any scarring, condition, disability, or mark that affects a person's appearance, with confirmation via self-report
* Parent experiencing self-reported stress associated with the child's visible difference
* Able to communicate in verbal and written English
* Access to a computer/tablet with an active internet connection

Exclusion Criteria:

* Parent currently accessing psychological therapy for their own wellbeing, including parenting programmes
* Parent experiencing active thoughts of suicide or self-injury
* Parent experienced a psychotic episode or engaged in deliberate self-injury over the past year
* Parent commenced medications for mood in the last two months
* Parent previously accessed a mindful parenting intervention
* Child currently in an acute phase following a physical injury
* Only one parent or carer per household can take part

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