Currently submitted to: Journal of Medical Internet Research
Date Submitted: Nov 8, 2025
Open Peer Review Period: Nov 10, 2025 - Jan 5, 2026
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An Online Mindfulness- and Compassion-Based Inter-Care Program for Reducing Parental Burnout: A Randomized Controlled Trial
ABSTRACT
Background:
Parental burnout is an under-recognised syndrome characterised by emotional exhaustion, detachment from children, and reduced parental efficacy. It is associated with sleep disturbance, addictive behaviours, suicidal ideation, and increased risk of child neglect and family conflict. Despite its public-health relevance, evidence-based interventions remain limited, particularly in low- and middle-income contexts.
Objective:
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a mindfulness- and compassion-based group program—Inter-Care for Parental Burnout (IBAP-PB) —designed to reduce burnout symptoms in teleworking mothers.
Methods:
A three-arm randomised controlled trial (IBAP-BP, active control, waitlist) was conducted across Chile (December 2022–March 2023) with nine-month follow-up. Participants (n = 593) were women ≥ 18 years teleworking ≥ 1 day/week and living with ≥ 1 child. Exclusion criteria were self-reported severe psychiatric disorders. Randomisation was computer-generated and centrally concealed; data analysts were blinded. The IBAP-BP group attended eight weekly two-hour online sessions plus daily home practice integrating mindfulness and compassion. The active control performed relaxation and reflective journaling matched for duration and structure. The primary outcome was parental burnout (Parental Burnout Assessment, PBA) at nine months; secondary outcomes were mindfulness, balance of risks/resources, and adverse effects. Modified intention-to-treat analyses and multilevel structural models assessed effects over time.
Results:
Of 665 enrolled participants, 343 completed follow-up. At nine months, IBAP-BP produced greater reductions in parental burnout than the waitlist (mean difference = −0.81, p < 0.05; d ≈ 0.6). No significant difference was found between IBAP-BP and the active control, which showed transient improvements up to three months. Effects remained robust in sensitivity analyses. Adverse events were rare and mild across all groups. Mediation analyses showed inconsistent associations between mindfulness facets and outcomes.
Conclusions:
The culturally adapted, online IBAP-BP programme is a feasible, safe, and effective approach for reducing parental burnout in working mothers, with effects sustained over nine months. Clinical Trial: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05833269
Citation
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