A Depressing Moment: The Role of Social Support on the Mental Health of Children with Incarcerated Family Members

• In Event: Mental Health and Incarceration

Abstract

A growing body of research examines the health consequences of mass incarceration. While studies have examined the mental health effects of incarceration on individuals, few studies have looked at the mental health effects of having a family member incarcerated. Having a family member incarcerated can be a source of stress that can produce adverse health outcomes, such as depression. Only a handful of studies explore the relationship between familial incarceration, social support, and mental health. These studies focused on the effects of financial support on partners but not emotional support. In this study, we draw from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 to examine the role of perceived emotional support on the relationship between familial incarceration and children's depression.

Authors

• Fernando Clark, University of Georgia

• Yvonne Chen, Vanderbilt University