Individual, Family, and Community Education ETDs

Publication Date

Spring 4-19-2024

Abstract

This study explored associations between maternal mindful parenting (i.e., mindful discipline, being in the moment with the child), maternal parental stress, and harsh parenting (i.e., physical and psychological harsh parenting) in early childhood. A sample of 172 mothers of young children in New Mexico completed questionnaires assessing perceived parental stress, use of harsh parenting, and mindful parenting. Results of the path model analysis demonstrated that being mindful in the moment with the child was directly, negatively associated with physical harsh parenting and also negatively associated with perceived stress. Mindful discipline was directly, negatively associated with both psychological aggression and perceived stress. Perceived stress was positively associated with psychological harsh parenting and was not associated with physical harsh parenting. This study illustrates that “being in the moment” and “mindful discipline” may have distinctive benefits as targeted interventions to lower rates of harsh parenting while also potentially lowering parental stress.

Keywords

physical harsh parenting, psychological harsh parenting, mindful parenting, mindful discipline, parental stress

Document Type

Dissertation

Language

English

Degree Name

Family Studies

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Individual, Family, and Community Education

First Committee Member (Chair)

Alexandra Davis, PhD.

Second Committee Member

Ryan Kelly, PhD.

Third Committee Member

Cara Streit, PhD.

Fourth Committee Member

Cathy Huaqing Qi, PhD.

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