Mental Health Correlates of Children with Currently and Formerly Incarcerated Parents

Abstract

Reliable information about the families and children of incarcerated people is difficult to obtain; for this reason, major gaps exist in our understanding of the parent-child relationships and the health and well-being of children with incarcerated parents. This study examined indicators of mental health in young people using data from a statewide survey. The study aimed to determine whether children of incarcerated parents report higher levels of mental health problems than children without an incarcerated parent. I compared children with a currently incarcerated parent to children with a formerly incarcerated parent and children with no history of parental incarceration on seven indicators of mental health. I also examined whether strong parent-child relationships were protective against mental health concerns in children with incarcerated parents. Results indicate that children of currently and formerly incarcerated parents are at elevated risk for mental health problems. Furthermore, strong parent-child relationships partially buffered children from the risk for poor mental health associated with parental incarceration.