The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Children (MBCT-C) in Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms and Attention Problems among Children living in Single-Parent Families

BackgroundCurrent research aimed to provide a research protocol to assess the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Children (MBCT-C) for externalizing and internalizing symptoms and attention problems among children living in a single-parent household. MethodThis study protocol proposes a two-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing MBCT-C with an active control group (ACG). The intervention group will receive 12 sessions of MBCT-C group therapy, while the ACG will receive 12 sessions of sham mindfulness programs. Seventy-six children will be randomly selected and assigned to either the intervention group or the control group. The study will be semi-experimental research with a cross-over design that assessments will be conducted at the pre-test, post-test, and three-month follow-up. Participants will respond to the Child Behavioral Checklist (CBCL), Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC), Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), Mindfulness Program Satisfaction Questioner (MPSQ), and Clinical Global Impressions (CGI). Data will be analyzed using a mixed regression model in STATA 18. ResultsThe obtained data will be analyzed with the mixed regression model to determine the effectiveness of the interventions. ConclusionThe current study has implications for designing the tailored intervention by evaluating the impact of MBCT-C on symptoms related to internalization and externalization as well as attention problems among children in single-parent families.