Mindful Parenting Intervention MinUTo App for Parents of Preschool Children: Study Protocol of a Randomised...

Mindful parenting and the use of technology for parenting intervention have expanded separately from one another with promising results, but their relationship is underexplored. The current study protocol proposes a new universal intervention via app, MINd Us TOghether (MinUTo), based on mindful parenting for parents of typically developing children of 4-5 years of age.

The effect of the intervention is evaluated using a randomised controlled trial. Around 2000 parents are enrolled and randomised to the intervention and control groups. Data are collected in three different waves from parents at baseline and endline; APP usage data allow for the analysis of intervention adherence. The MinUTo app proposes contents and activities for five dimensions of mindful parenting. Each dimension is presented within a two-week distance, explaining its importance, providing information, and offering activities for parents and children.

We hypothesise a positive effect of the intervention on primary outcomes (mindful parenting, parenting stress, parent behaviours and parental time investment), increasing parents' skills and promoting a positive parent-child relationship. We also test possible effects on secondary outcomes (parenting attitudes and beliefs) at an explorative level.

The study will add new considerations about the psychological and economic impact of technologies in implementing parenting interventions in non-clinical populations.