Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Program to Reduce Parental Burnout and Improve Childrens Emotional and Behavioral Health in Hong Kong Families

What this Trial Is About

Parental burnout, especially in high-stress families affected by child maltreatment or domestic violence, is a growing concern. Researchers are evaluating an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ACT-based program aimed at reducing parental burnout and improving childrens emotional and behavioral adjustment in families in Hong Kong. This pilot randomized controlled trial also seeks to provide insights for better parenting interventions and child protection policies. Parents in the ACT intervention group will participate in a six-week, group-based parenting program that combines ACT techniques like mindfulness, values-based parenting, and cognitive defusion with positive parenting skills. Children aged 6 to 11 will join a child-focused ACT program designed to support their emotional regulation and resilience using experiential learning and storytelling. Both programs consist of weekly 90-minute sessions. The control group will receive standard services and will be offered the ACT intervention after the initial three-month study period. During the study, parents and children will be assessed at baseline, immediately after the program, and three months post-intervention. Researchers will measure changes in parental burnout, childrens emotional and behavioral adjustment, psychological flexibility for both parents and children, adaptive parenting behaviors, and the quality of parent-child relationships. The study involves collaboration with Harmony Home Limited and includes follow-up assessments to track the interventions impact over time.

ACT-Based Training for Parental Burnout and Child Well-being