Mindfulness and Youth with ADHD (1 CE)

Number of Credits: 1

This course is for: Clinical Psychologists, Counselors, and LMFTs

Course By: Rachel Schoor, PhD

Content By: Siebelink, N. M., Kaijadoe, S. P., Van Horssen, F. M., Holtland, J. N., Bögels, S. M., Buitelaar, J. K., ... & Greven, C. U. (2020). Mindfulness for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting (MindChamp): A Qualitative Study on Feasibility and Effects. Journal of Attention Disorders, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054720945023

Description: An 8-week mindfulness-based intervention, called “Mymind”, was administered to families with adolescents experiencing attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and their parents. This qualitative study explored the facilitators and barriers to participation as well as participant perceptions regarding the intervention and its impact on their lives. After completing the intervention, individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sub-group of parents, adolescents, and mindfulness instructors. Facilitators and barriers of the intervention were identified including, for example, contextual factors, mindfulness-based intervention characteristics, and participant characteristics. Multiple factors were explored in relation to participation and outcomes. The researchers discussed negative outcomes from the intervention, whether there were changes in awareness or insight, intervention acceptance, emotion regulation and reactivity, cognitive functioning, calmness or relaxation, and relational changes.  The qualitative results suggest that the Mymind intervention can lead to a variety of transferable and beneficial effects beyond decreasing ADHD symptoms.  Recommendations are provided for researchers and practitioners who wish to utilize similar mindfulness-based interventions for adolescents with ADHD.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe 3 proposed mechanisms through which mindfulness meditation is thought to enhance self-regulation
• List at least 3 outcomes or consequences of the intervention reported by the adolescents and parents
• Summarize 2 recommendations for researchers or practitioners who aspire to utilize similar mindfulness-based interventions for children with ADHD and their parents

Course outline:

• Read and understand Mindfulness for children with ADHD and mindful parenting (MindChamp): A qualitative study on feasibility and effects
• Review the Course Description and Learning Objectives
• Consider the facilitators and barriers to adolescent and parental engagement in mindfulness based interventions while considering the strengths and weaknesses of the study
• Work through the post-test question; keep in mind that the answer selection should be derived from the respective article
• Returned to the reference article for any missed question and/ or to better understand how mindfulness meditation may reduce symptoms for children with ADHD and may improve quality life for children with ADHD and their parents

Approvals: