Navigating Traumatic Stress, Substance Use and Parental Incarceration: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

Mass incarceration in the United States has left millions of parents behind bars. These parents face barriers to wellbeing throughout their lifespan, navigating demographic and structural barriers, cumulative disadvantage characterized by stress, harsh institutional practices and sociopolitical factors impacting their access to resources pre, during, and post incarceration. Little to no research has explored the intersection of traumatic stress, substance use and parental incarceration. Guided by ecological systems, family stress, and critical social science theories this study explores the lived experiences of parents who have been incarcerated, exposed to traumatic stress, and substance use. Employing hermeneutic phenomenology, qualitative interviews were conducted focusing on the way parents see and make meaning around navigating this milieu in their lives. Seven essential themes emerged from this analysis: (a) Interconnections between traumatic stress, substance use and incarceration (b) Stress pile-up characterizes life, (c) Peer relationships are critical, (d) Many information gaps exist, (e) Incarceration is harmful, (f) Spirituality is transformative resource, and (g) Desire for a better life. Primarily current policies and services for justice-involved families are not family oriented, systemic, or preventative and lack an overall fit with the lived experiences of the parents in this study. Theories guiding intervention development for justice-involved families need to account for proximal processes that impact life trajectories. Policies need to be just and consider the impact of the family, and traditionally siloed sectors need to work together to bring about healing and well-being for justice-involved families.