Parent Gender, Child Age at Onset of Parental Incarceration and Young Adult Social Exclusion

• In Event: 475 - Section on Children and Youth Paper Session. Transition to Adulthood during Hard Times

Abstract

This study investigates the association between parental incarceration history (PIH) and young adult social exclusion (SE) and whether it differs by parent gender and child developmental stage. Data from waves 1 and 4 of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health were used to conduct logistic regression models that assessed associations between PIH and multiple SE domains adjusting for child, parent, and family factors. PIH was found associated with individual and overall SE measures, exhibiting the strongest association with young adult incarceration history (YAIH). In general, PIH and SE associations differed by parent gender and age of respondent at 1st occurrence. Increased risk of YAIH was highest for respondents who reported early childhood onset of maternal incarceration; while childhood and adolescent onset of paternal incarceration increased risk of material, relational and young adult incarceration. Results also indicate PIH exposure from either parent increased the risk of experiencing multiple forms of exclusion in young adulthood. Maternal incarceration onset during childhood or adolescence and paternal incarceration onset during childhood increased the risk of experiencing 3 forms of exclusion in young adulthood. The study suggests (1) PIH increases young adult risk for criminal and non-criminal forms of SE and (2) maternal and paternal incarceration and age of child at first parental incarceration differentially impacts young adult outcomes. Since research indicates links between SE and violence, studies are needed to identify factors that reduce SE and violence risk for children exposed to parental incarceration related disadvantage, disruptions, and instability.

Authors

• Rosalyn Lee, Center for Diease Control and Prevention

• Xiangming Fang, China Agricultural University

• Feijun Luo, Center's for Disease Control and Prevention