Dr. Amanda Cheung specializes in individual differences across the lifespan and complex statistical modeling, such as behavioral genetics, and is dedicated to promoting research in the practicing community. She has led a number of clinical trials on third-generation therapies, including mindfulness-based interventions, acceptance and commitment therapy, and compassion-focused therapy. As a registered clinical psychologist in Hong Kong (with HKPS and HKICP) and a licensed psychologist in the United States, Amanda has extensive clinical experience in treating individuals with emotional and behavioral dysregulations. She has completed the certification in conducting Seeking Safety by Treatment Innovations, Inc. (San Francisco, CA, USA), the Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Intensive Training by Behavioral Tech (Seattle, WA, USA), and is a certified therapist in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT).

Localizing the Mindful Parenting Program for Chinese Parents in Hong Kong: A Feasibility Study and An Efficacy Study

Parental stress with ineffective coping is known to significantly impact the well-being of children and families. While most parenting programs in Hong Kong target behavioral management skills, mindful parenting uniquely addresses parental stress and reactive parenting. It supports a holistic approach to improving family well-being.

The Mindful Parenting (MP) program was culturally adapted to fit the needs of Hong Kong parents, ensuring relevance and accessibility. Facilitators underwent in-depth training sessions and ongoing supervision to ensure high-quality delivery of the program. An implementation study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the program, followed by a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to rigorously assess its efficacy.

In the implementation study, 204 parents with children aged 4-17 years were recruited from local community clinics. Post-intervention changes were evident across nine parental and child outcomes. In the RCT that followed, 163 parents were publicly recruited on the same criteria with elevated parental stress as an additional inclusion criterion. The localized MP program demonstrated efficacy in reducing parental stress and increasing parents' mindfulness, both at the general trait level and in the specific context of parenting. In particular, across the two studies, the program retention rate reached 88-93% and 67-70% of program attendees completed at least six of the eight sessions. These numbers highlight the importance of considering families’ routines when planning services for Chinese parents in Hong Kong. As accessibility is a key to parents benefiting from an efficacious intervention, additional recommendations on service delivery are discussed.