The Influence of Self-Compassion on Mindful Parenting: A Mediation Model of Gratitude

• Published in: The Family journal (Alexandria, Va.) Vol. 28; no. 4; pp. 455 - 462
• Main Authors: Nguyen, Thanh Minh, Bui, Thi Thuy Hang, Xiao, Xingxue, Le, Vu Ha
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.10.2020; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Childrearing practices; Cross-sectional studies; Gratitude; Internet; Mindfulness; Mothers; Parents & parenting; Self compassion; Sympathy; mindful parenting; Interpersonal Mindfulness Scale; gratitude; self-compassion
• ISSN: 1066-4807; 1552-3950
• DOI: 10.1177/1066480720950421

Mindful parenting, a concept that has been coined and examined recently, refers to a parent’s ability to bring complete attention to their children in the present moment. The aims of this study are to examine the relationship between self-compassion and mindful parenting and the role of gratitude as a mediating variable in a cross-sectional study. Participants include 522 Vietnamese mothers (M age = 35.17; SD = 5.56) randomly selected through an online investigation. A 26-item Self-Compassion Scale was used to measure self-compassion, gratitude was measured by the Gratitude Questionnaire Six-Item Form, and mindful parenting was measured by the Interpersonal Mindfulness in Parenting Scale. The results support two main findings: (a) self-compassion has a direct influence on mindful parenting (effect = 2.48, p < .001, 95% CI [1.75, 3.22]), and (b) the mediating role of gratitude in this model was significant (effect = 0.37, 95% CI [0.10, 0.70]). The study’s results also show that increasing self-compassion and gratitude can help to improve mindful parenting.