Acceptability, Perceived Feasibility and Perceived Impact of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-Informed Emotion...

Insufficient physical activity (PA) among children remains a public health concern, and parental support is a consistent correlate of child PA. Existing family-based PA interventions have shown modest effects, suggesting a need to address emotional barriers that interfere with parents' support follow-through. This Phase IIa proof-of-concept study examined the acceptability and perceived feasibility of a remotely delivered Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-informed emotion regulation program for parents of children not meeting PA guidelines, and explored perceived changes in parental support. Twenty-one Canadian parents of children aged 6 to 12 years began three 20 to 30 min parent-only online workshops delivered over three weeks; 15 completed all workshops and 12 completed a semi-structured exit interview. Cross-case thematic analysis generated three themes. Parents described the program as acceptable, accessible, and supportive; reported that strategies were feasible to apply and helped them support PA in more flexible, less perfectionistic, and more values-consistent ways; and identified refinements, including stronger support for sustained engagement, greater interactivity, and child inclusion where appropriate. Findings suggest preliminary promise and support further optimization and mixed-method testing of measurable changes in parental support and child or family PA.