Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Ph.D. Student of educational psychology, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
2
Ph.D. Student of educational psychology, Sari, Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran
3
Ph.D. Student of educational psychology, Babol, Islamic Azad University, Babol, Iran
4
MSc Student of educational psychology, Sari, Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran
5
MSc Student of psychology, Sari, Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran
Abstract
Background and Aims: The present study aimed to examine the predictive role of parental reflective functioning (mentalization capacity) dimensions in mindful parenting among mothers.
Method: This research was descriptive-correlational in nature. The statistical population consisted of mothers who were active in virtual groups, from which 60 participants were selected using convenience sampling. Data collection instruments included the Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (PRFQ) and the Mindful Parenting Questionnaire (MIPQ). After data collection, analyses were conducted using SPSS version 26 with multiple linear regression.
Findings: The regression analysis results indicated that the three dimensions of parental reflective functioning (pre-mentalizing, curiosity, and mental state representation) collectively predicted mindful parenting significantly (R² = 0.268, F = 6.847, p = 0.001). Among these dimensions, curiosity (β = 0.391, p = 0.002) and pre-mentalizing (β = 0.271, p = 0.003) were identified as significant positive predictors of mindful parenting, whereas mental state representation did not show a significant contribution. These findings highlight the importance of specific aspects of parental reflective functioning—particularly curiosity and pre-mentalizing—in predicting mindful parenting.
Conclusion: The results underscore the need for interventions aimed at enhancing parents’ reflective skills, especially the development of cognitive curiosity and the ability to anticipate future mental states. Such interventions can indirectly improve the quality of mindful parenting by strengthening these specific components.
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