Description
Mindfulness, reflecting nonjudgmental awareness in the present moment, has been associated with positive individual and relationship wellbeing. However, the role of mindfulness in couple and parent relationships remains unclear. The current study aimed to further this understanding in this area by examining mindfulness in both partners and parents. Specifically, the current study aimed to examine mindfulness in individuals who are parents compared to those who are not. Measures of both individual and relational (couple-level) mindfulness will be were examined. It was hypothesized that individuals who are not parents will exhibit more mindfulness than parents both at the individual and couple level. The current study utilized a cross-sectional survey design. Participants were 47 cohabiting couples (31 parents and 16 nonparents). Measures included individual trait mindfulness using the Five Facet of Mindfulness Questionnaire and newly developed Couple-level Mindfulness Questionnaire. Results from a series of t-tests revealed significantly higher individual level and couple-level mindfulness for fathers compared to husbands who were not fathers. There were no significant differences for the female partners. These results suggest that the experience of fathers is qualitatively different than that of nonfathers, and may be associated with differences in the transition to parenthood experience of men versus women. Findings also have implications for mindfulness interventions aimed particularly at fathers or men becoming fathers. Longitudinal research is needed to more fully understand changes in mindfulness during the transition to parenthood.
