Incarcerated Parents and Their Children: A Meta-Analysis Of Programs Uniting Families

• In Event: Poster Session II

Abstract

Many of these men and women that are incarcerated have children. The parent-child dynamics are being changed because of the growing incarceration rates of parents. As a result, keeping families together has become increasingly difficult. While there are a lot of programs uniting parents with their children, little is known about how effective these programs are at uniting families. The purpose of this project is to analyze what programs are effective at uniting families using a meta-analysis approach. Preliminary review of the research shows that some programs improve the relationship between the parent and child better than others. This study suggests a need for more evaluations of programs and for programs that increase the parent-child relationship while the parent is incarcerated.

Authors

• Amy Nichols, Central Michigan University

• Liz Bradshaw, Central Michigan University