Parenting can be stressful and can be even more challenging when children experience anxiety and worries. Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health disorders affecting children. In Australia, 7% of children and adolescent between 4 to 11 years of age experience an anxiety disorder. In children, anxiety disorders are among the earliest mental health disorders to onset, cause significant distress and impairment and predict the development of other mental health disorders and substance use problems later in life.

Mindfulness training for parents has been shown to be an effective intervention for helping parents of children experiencing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It has been shown to reduce parent’s stress, anxiety and depression and to also lead to improvements in children’s behaviour, attention, and concentration. However, there is little research evaluating mindfulness training for parents of young children with anxiety disorders.

•  Our research trial study will explore the effects of mindfulness training for parents of young children (ages 3 to 7) who are experiencing high anxiety (e.g., social anxiety, separation anxiety, generalized anxiety, or specific phobias).
• We are offering a FREE 8-week mindfulness training group for parents at Griffith University, Southport, Gold Coast.

The study has been approved by Griffith University Research and Ethics Committee (Ref No: 2018/ 894).

For further information or to participate please email Kids in Mind…   Email: kidsinmind@griffith.edu.au