Examining the association between emotional availability and mindful parenting
Date
2017
Authors
Benton, Julie, author
Coatsworth, Doug, advisor
Biringen, Zeynep, advisor
Stallones, Lorann, committee member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
This study examined the relationship between Emotional Availability (EA) and Mindful Parenting (MP), as well as their independent and combined associations with indicators of adolescent well-being. EA is a well-established measure of parent-child relationship quality, but the existing literature for EA is limited to infancy and childhood, with minimal emphasis on adolescence. There is, however, expansive support for the importance of the parent-child relationship in adolescence for well-being in adolescence and early adulthood. Mindful Parenting is one construct shown to be associated with both positive parent-child relationships and adolescent well-being. The current study tests the association among EA, MP and indicators of adolescent well-being in a sample of 30 adolescent-mother dyads participating in a longitudinal study of the Mindfulness Enhanced Strengthening Families Program (MSFP) 10-14. EA and MP were assessed through observational coding of parent-adolescent interactions. Results indicated significant associations between EA and MP, and between each construct and adolescent outcomes. Additionally, individual EA Scales and MP dimensions were established as unique predictors of adolescent outcomes. These results indicate there is a significant relationship between EA and MP and both constructs are related to adolescent outcomes, with some specific contributions to indicators of adolescent well-being.