Effects of Mindfulness Training on the Psychological Well-being of Preschoolers

Attention and Impulsivity

Time Frame: Baseline, Immediately after intervention at Week 14

An aggregated T-score by taking the mean of the eight measures of Conners Kiddie Continuous Performance Test 2nd Edition (K-CPT 2), published by Multi-Health Systems. The eight measures are d-prime, Omissions, Commissions, Perseverations, Hit Reaction Time Standard Deviation, Variability, Hit Reaction Time Block Change, Hit Reaction Time Inter-Stimulus Interval Change. All eight measures were T-score with a population mean of 50 with a standard deviation of 10. The eight T-scores are averaged to give an overall representation of the children's attention and impulsivity. Lower score indicates better outcome.

Empathy

Time Frame: Baseline, Immediately after intervention at Week 14

Scenario test depicting common social interactions faced by preschoolers. Two parallel versions are developed, each with four scenarios. For each scenario, the children are asked to identify the emotions of the character in the scenario. Answers of the same emotional valence (i.e. positive or negative) without probe score 2 points. Answer after probe score 1 point. Answers with different emotional valence or null responses score 0 points. The mean score of the four scenarios is calculated as the measure of empathy, ranging from 0 to 2. Higher scores indicate stronger empathy.

Prosocial Behavior

Time Frame: Baseline, Immediately after intervention at Week 14

Scenario test depicting common social interactions faced by preschoolers. Two parallel versions are developed, each with four scenarios. For each scenario, the children are asked to identify the emotions of the character in the scenario. Answers of socially appropriate behaviors without probe score 2 points. Answer of socially appropriate behaviors after probe score 1 point. Answers with socially inappropriate behavior or null responses score 0 points. The mean score of the four scenarios is calculated as the measure of prosocial behavior, ranging from 0 to 2. Higher scores indicate more prosocial behavior.

Parent-reported Attention

Time Frame: Baseline, Immediately after intervention at Week 14

The mean subscale score of a modified version of the Hyperactivity subscale of the parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Originally negative Items were changed into positive wording. The subscale consisted of 3 items, rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (never) to 5 (always). Higher score indicated better attention.

Parent-reported Emotion Regulation

Time Frame: Baseline, Immediately after intervention at Week 14

The mean subscale score of a modified version of the Emotional Problem subscale of the parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Originally negative Items were changed into positive wording. The subscale consisted of 3 items, rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (never) to 5 (always). Higher score indicated better emotion regulation.

Parent-reported Prosocial Behavior

Time Frame: Baseline, Immediately after intervention at Week 14

The mean subscale score of a modified version of the Prosocial subscale of the parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Originally negative Items were changed into positive wording. The subscale consisted of 3 items, rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (never) to 5 (always). Higher score indicated more prosocial behavior.

Parent-reported Conduct

Time Frame: baseline, immediately after intervention at Week 14

The mean subscale score of a modified version of the Conduct Problem subscale of the parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Originally negative Items were changed into positive wording. The subscale consisted of 3 items, rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (never) to 5 (always). Higher score indicated less conduct problem.

Teacher-reported Attention

Time Frame: Baseline, Immediately after intervention at Week 14

The mean subscale score of a modified version of the Hyperactivity subscale of the teacher-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Originally negative Items were changed into positive wording. The subscale consisted of 3 items, rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (never) to 5 (always). Higher score indicated better attention.

Teacher-reported Emotion Regulation

Time Frame: baseline, immediately after intervention at Week 14

The mean subscale score of a modified version of the Emotional Problem subscale of the teacher-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Originally negative Items were changed into positive wording. The subscale consisted of 3 items, rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (never) to 5 (always). Higher score indicated better emotion regulation.

Teacher-reported Prosocial Behavior

Time Frame: baseline, immediately after intervention at Week 14

The mean subscale score of a modified version of the Prosocial subscale of the teacher-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Originally negative Items were changed into positive wording. The subscale consisted of 3 items, rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (never) to 5 (always). Higher score indicated more prosocial behavior.

Teacher-reported Conduct

Time Frame: baseline, immediately after intervention at Week 14

The mean subscale score of a modified version of the Conduct Problem subscale of the teacher-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Originally negative Items were changed into positive wording. The subscale consisted of 3 items, rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (never) to 5 (always). Higher score indicated less conduct problem.