Incarcerated Mother-Father Effects on Minority Youth’s Outcomes

• In Event: Intergenerational Effects of Parental Deviance and Incarceration

Abstract

During 2011-2012, approximately five million (7%) U.S. children ages 0 to 17years old reported having lived with a parent who has spent time incarcerated. Traditionally the attention of research has been placed mostly on imprisoned fathers. However, women have more than doubled the rate of incarcerated men between 1980 and 2014 calling for additional research on the effects of incarceration of mothers and fathers in youth. Empirical research and national statistics report that the incarceration of a parent is associated with increased risk of trauma, stress, risk-taking behaviors, psychological problems, social stigmatization, and other negative outcomes in youth. Informed by Hirschi’s Social Bonding Theory, this study examines the effect of school connectedness, school context, social support, maternal-paternal connectedness, and maternal-paternal expectations on delinquency and fighting in a sample of adolescents (N=2,319) whose mother (N=482) and father (N=1,837) have been incarcerated. Separate analyses were conducted for mothers and fathers in jail. Results showed that only social support was associated with delinquency in youth, whereas maternal/paternal expectations and connectedness were significantly associated with fighting. Additional analyses will explore potential differences and/or similarities in youth’s outcomes across ethnic groups (African American, Caucasian). Implications for prevention/intervention and social policy will be further discussed.

Authors

• Oscar Rosales, Texas Tech University

• Elizabeth Trejos-Castillo, Texas Tech University