ERIC Number: EJ1476850
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Jun
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1866-2625
EISSN: EISSN-1866-2633
Available Date: 2025-05-26
A Mindfulness-Based Lifestyle Intervention among Economically Marginalized Caregiver-Preschooler Dyads: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Satisfaction
Jiying Ling1; Autumn Ashley1; Nagwan Zahry2; Tsui-Sui A. Kao1; Charis L. Wahman3; Kenneth Resnicow4; Lorraine B. Robbins1; Jean M. Kerver5; Nanhua Zhang6
School Mental Health, v17 n2 p715-732 2025
Mindfulness-based interventions are increasingly recognized for their positive impact on children's physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral health. However, no mindfulness-based lifestyle interventions have focused on improving both the physical and mental well-being of economically marginalized preschoolers. Therefore, this one-group study aimed to examine feasibility, acceptability, and satisfaction of a 5-week mindfulness-based lifestyle intervention among preschoolers, caregivers, and childcare teachers. Caregiver-preschooler dyads were recruited from one urban and one rural Head Start childcare center. Outcome data were collected at baseline only, while evaluation data were obtained following the intervention. The intervention included three components: a school-based mindful eating and movement learning for preschoolers; a home-based caregiver training on mindful eating, movement, and parenting; and a school learning and home practice connection in mindfulness. Nineteen preschoolers, 18 caregivers, and three teachers participated. The enrollment rate was 40.4%. Attrition was 0% among preschoolers and 5.6% (n = 1) among caregivers (one caregiver passed away). Baseline data collection completion rate was 100%, with 88.9% (n = 16) caregivers and 84.2% (n = 16) preschoolers having valid ActiGraph data. Hair sample parental consent rate was 57.9% (n = 11), while sample collection rate was 90.9% (n = 10). Intervention implementation fidelity was excellent. Average intervention participation rates were 83.2% (n = 16), 72.2% (n = 13), and 55.6% (n = 10) for the preschooler component, caregiver meeting, and social media-based caregiver component, respectively. Acceptability and satisfaction with the intervention were high among caregivers and teachers. The results support the feasibility, acceptability of, and satisfaction with the 5-week intervention among preschoolers and caregivers from economically marginalized families and childcare teachers.
Descriptors: Metacognition, Intervention, Life Style, Physical Health, Mental Health, Health Promotion, Preschool Children, Preschool Teachers, Parents, Economically Disadvantaged, Low Income Students, Urban Schools, Rural Schools, Eating Habits, Physical Activity Level, Child Rearing, Program Effectiveness, Federal Programs, Social Services
Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link-springer-com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Preschool Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Laws, Policies, & Programs: Head Start
Grant or Contract Numbers: UG3/UH3AT012521
Author Affiliations: 1Michigan State University, College of Nursing, East Lansing, USA; 2University of Tennessee, Department of Communication, Chattanooga, USA; 3Michigan State University, Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education, East Lansing, USA; 4University of Minnesota, Division of Epidemiology & Community Health, Minneapolis, USA; 5Michigan State University, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, East Lansing, USA; 6University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, USA

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