A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

A Lived Experience of Mindfulness-Based Mentalizing Training Program for Parents (MBMP). A Phenomenological Study




AuthorsTeräsahjo, Timo; Herkama, Sanna; Salmivalli, Christina; Lahtinen, Oskari

PublisherSAGE Publications

Publication year2026

Journal: Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry

Article number13591045261422590

ISSN1359-1045

eISSN1461-7021

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1177/13591045261422590

Publication's open availability at the time of reportingOpen Access

Publication channel's open availability Partially Open Access publication channel

Web address https://doi.org/10.1177/13591045261422590

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/515753999

Self-archived copy's licenceCC BY

Self-archived copy's versionPublisher`s PDF


Abstract

Mentalizing, or the ability to understand the mental states underlying oneself and others’ overt behaviors, is crucial in parenting due to its association with favorable child development outcomes. This study introduces a new tool, the Mindfulness-Based Mentalizing Training Program for Parents (MBMP), and investigates its potential to enhance parental mentalizing through qualitative analysis. Six parents of young children were interviewed to explore their lived experiences with MBMP using descriptive phenomenological analysis. The individual experiences were categorized into four main content areas: (1) The Experience of Mind Check: Observing internal states; (2) Power of Positivity: Recalling positive interactions; (3) Living Through Difficulties: Reflecting on challenging interactions; (4) Telling and Retelling: Describing the child from the parent’s perspective. The study discusses the key experiences stimulated by MBMP and its potential for enhancing parental mentalizing.


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Funding information in the publication
This work was supported by the Academy of Finland through the INVEST Research Flagship (decision 369118).


Last updated on 11/03/2026 08:18:20 AM