A1 Journal article (refereed)
Effects of an Online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Intervention on Children’s Quality of Life (2022)

Sairanen, E., Lappalainen, R., Lappalainen, P., & Hiltunen, A. (2022). Effects of an Online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Intervention on Children’s Quality of Life. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 31(4), 1079-1093. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-022-02234-z

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Sairanen, Essi; Lappalainen, Raimo; Lappalainen, Päivi; Hiltunen, Arto

Journal or series: Journal of Child and Family Studies

ISSN: 1062-1024

eISSN: 1573-2843

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 26/01/2022

Volume: 31

Issue number: 4

Pages range: 1079-1093

Publisher: Springer

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-022-02234-z

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/79572

Abstract

The present study examined if an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)–based online intervention for parents had indirect effects on their children’s quality of life mediated by changes in parental well-being, psychological flexibility and mindfulness skills. Participants were 74 adults, who either received an ACT-based guided online intervention or were allocated to the wait list control group, and their children (n = 66) who had type 1 diabetes or functional disabilities. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and a bias-corrected bootstrap approach were applied to examine the indirect effects of the treatment on children’s quality of life through changes in parents’ well-being and psychological processes involving psychological flexibility, cognitive defusion, and mindfulness skills. Children’s quality of life was assessed both by self-reports and parents’ evaluations. Significant indirect effects on children’s quality of life were found through improvements in parental well-being and mindfulness skills. The intervention had significant indirect effects on parents’ evaluations of their children’s quality of life concerning family and other social relationships, as well as on physical well-being. In regard to children’s self-reported quality of life, the intervention had significant indirect effects on self-esteem, family relations, emotional well-being, and functioning at school/kindergarten. The results indicate that it is beneficial for children’s quality of life to improve parents’ ability to describe their experiences, being non-reactive to one’s inner experiences and acting with awareness as well as cognitive defusion.

Keywords: parents; parenthood; acceptance and commitment therapy; mental well-being; children (family members); quality of life; intervention

Free keywords: children’s quality of life; parental well-being; acceptance and commitment therapy; online intervention

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2022

JUFO rating: 1