Maternal Incarceration and Child Well-being Outcomes: Examining Whether the Effect of Sibling Relationships Vary by Race and Ethnicity

• In Event: Strain and Control Across Social Contexts

Abstract

Research has demonstrated heterogeneous outcomes for children experiencing maternal incarceration, prompting the need to examine whether social processes may provide some explanation for these differences. As ninety percent of individuals are raised in households with multiple children, sibling relationships have received more scholarly attention within the context of maternal incarceration effects. Recent work has revealed an association between maternal incarceration, sibling relationships, and various outcomes including young adult arrest. What has not yet been identified is whether any cultural and ethnic differences exist with regard to sibling relationships and maternal incarceration. Extant research shows that distinctions exist between black and white family relations, though there is debate on whether these distinctions can be attributed primarily to variations in structural position, race/ethnicity and culture, or socioeconomic standing. Using data from a nationally-representative longitudinal study, the current study examines whether sibling relationships moderate outcomes for those experiencing maternal incarceration across racial/ethnic groups. Implications for prevention/intervention and social policy will be discussed.

Authors

• Tracey Woodard, Florida State University

• Miltonette Olivia Craig, Florida State University