Unpacking the Features and Context of Parent Incarceration: Implications for Youth Mental and Behavioral Health

• In Event: From Neuroscience To Justice: Examining The Intersections Of Mental Health, Substance Use, And Delinquency In Youth

Abstract

An estimated 7% of children in the U.S. have a parent with a history of incarceration, which can undermine healthy development. Still, little quantitative research has examined differences in the features and context of youth experiences of parent incarceration and their health impacts. This study employs longitudinal data from 1685 youth (ages 11-18) from the ABCD Social Development (SD) Study. Data on parent incarceration include 1) incarcerated parent identity (e.g., mother v. father), 2) incarceration duration, 3) incarceration timing (i.e., child’s age at first incident), 4) child’s history of co-residence with the incarcerated parent, and 5) the child’s living arrangement before, during, and after the incarceration. Multivariate regression models focused on mental and behavioral health outcomes are estimated. The research team hypothesizes age, socioeconomic, and variation across demographic groups in the context and features of parent incarceration, and more adverse health outcomes among youth whose parent’s incarceration 1) was of a longer duration, 2) occurred earlier in the youth’s life, 3) followed co-residence with the youth, and 4) resulted in the youth being placed in a non-familial living arrangement. The findings can inform strategies to reduce the adverse mental and behavioral health outcomes for youth experiencing parent incarceration.

Authors

• Luke Muentner, RTI International

• Dylan B. Jackson, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

• Rebecca Shlafer, University of Minnesota

• Elizabeth I. Johnson, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

• Kaylee Klingensmith, University of Pittsburgh

• Alexander Testa, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

• Lia Ahonen, University of Pittsburgh