Using the HOPE Framework to Predict Youth Deviance and Well-being amongst Families Impacted by Incarceration.

• In Event: Navigating Adolescence: Exploring the Influence of Social Ties on Behavior

Abstract

A recent narrative shift has begun to help research, programs and policy move beyond speaking of children of incarcerated parents solely in terms of risk factors to a narrative more focused on promoting existing youth resources, forms of resilience, and solutions. The secondary data used in this analysis was collected for pilot program development and evaluation of the First Chance Network. The First Chance Network is a new prevention program of Angel Tree-Prison Fellowship that provides families impacted by incarceration opportunities to flourish. Quantitative survey analysis uncovered factors associated with reduced delinquency and increased youth well-being. Preliminary findings from regression analysis of a sample of 341 caregivers with 786 youth shows significant associations between decreased delinquent behaviors and positive childhood experiences related to family resilience and community factors. These findings are important because they allow a solutions-focused framework that identifies existing sources of strength already possessed by families. Pivoting to use of these variables also provides a more optimistic evaluation strategy for youth-serving organizations and new directions for policy frameworks.

Author

• Chelsea Hunsucker, Prison Fellowship - Oklahoma State University