A brief compassion focused therapy intervention can help self‐critical parents and their children: A randomised controlled trial

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundParents can be highly self‐critical of their own parenting, which can negatively impact parenting style and child outcomes.AimsThe aim of this randomised controlled trial (RCT) was to examine the efficacy of a brief 2‐hour Compassion Focused Therapy intervention (CFT) for parents to determine if it can reduce self‐criticism, improve parenting and improve child social, emotional and behavioural outcomes.Materials & MethodsIn total, 102 parents (87 mothers) were randomised to either a CFT intervention (n = 48) or waitlist control group (n = 54). Participants were measured at pre‐, 2‐week post‐intervention and the CFT group again at 3‐month follow‐up.ResultsAt 2‐week post‐intervention parents in the CFT group compared to waitlist control had significantly reduced levels of self‐criticism, significant reductions in child emotional and peer problems, but no changes in parental style. At 3‐month follow‐up, these outcomes improved, with self‐criticism further decreasing, parental hostility and verbosity decreasing, as well as a range of childhood improvements.ConclusionThe results from this first RCT evaluation of a brief 2‐hour CFT intervention for parents show promise for not only improving how parents relate to themselves with self‐criticism and self‐reassurance, but also for improving parenting styles and child outcomes.