Rationale, formative research, and protocol for Calma, Conversa, y Cría: A pilot mindful parenting intervention with Latina women

BACKGROUND: Latina mothers' stress is associated with their children's health behaviors and risk for obesity; however, existing pediatric health promotion programs have not focused on maternal stress reduction. METHODS: Herein we describe a study design that will examine the acceptability and feasibility of Calma, Conversa, y Cría (CCC) a 6-week mindful parenting intervention designed to reduce stress. We present the results of qualitative research with Latina mothers and experts in Latinx health and mindfulness who provided culturally-relevant feedback on existing mindful parenting strategies to inform the development of CCC. Fifty Latina mothers of children ages 3–11 years will be randomly assigned to CCC or an enhanced usual care health education intervention. Acceptability will be assessed through participant satisfaction surveys and exit interviews. Feasibility will be determined through detailed tracking of recruitment, retention, and attendance rates. A signal regarding any group differences in maternal stress, health-related parenting practices, child diet, child physical activity, and child quality of life will be explored. DISCUSSION: The development of interventions that can reduce maternal stress and risk for obesity in Latinx children is critical to significantly reduce negative health impacts in this underserved population. Our approach includes the identification of effective cultural adaptations that should improve the feasibility and acceptability of mindful parenting strategies in Latinx families, ideally reducing maternal stress and improving parenting behaviors related to child health. If successful, CCC will be examined in a larger efficacy trial involving the measurement of objective biomarkers of children's chronic disease risk.