Self-Compassion, Dispositional Mindfulness, and Parenting Stress: The Mediating role of Mindful Parenting

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine whether mindful parenting mediates the relationship between self-compassion, dispositional mindfulness, and parenting stress. A total of 208 parents participated, with 156 being female and 52 being male. Participants completed the Self-Compassion Scale, the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), the Parenting Stress Scale, and the Mindfulness in Parenting Questionnaire (MIPQ). The findings revealed that mindfulness in parenting plays a mediating role between self-compassion, dispositional mindfulness, and parenting stress. These results indicate that higher levels of dispositional mindfulness and self-compassion may facilitate the practice of mindful parenting, potentially leading to a corresponding reduction in parenting-related stress. These findings underscore the importance of actively addressing and alleviating parenting stress as a crucial factor in fostering the development of self-compassion, mindfulness, and the application of mindful parenting.