P117. The Lived Experiences of Children With Incarcerated Parents: A Systematic Literature Review

• In Event: Poster Session & Ice Cream Social

Abstract

Parental incarceration is widely recognized as an adverse childhood experience that can negatively impact children's and young people’s development. A common critique of the existing literature is the insufficient inclusion of first-hand accounts from children and youth with incarcerated parents. However, our systematic literature review reveals that a substantial body of research exists but a comprehensive analysis of children's experiences remains lacking. To address this gap, we conducted a systematic review to synthesize qualitative research on individuals who experienced parental incarceration during childhood and young adulthood.

We systematically searched seven academic databases for peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2024, identifying 58 publications from 42 unique studies. These studies represent the lived experiences of over a thousand individuals across sixteen countries. Using thematic synthesis, we constructed overarching themes that provide in-depth insights into children's and young people’s experiences of parental incarceration, their needs, and the contextual factors and mechanisms shaping these experiences.

Based on these themes, we are developing a conceptual framework that visualizes the complex interplay of contextual factors shaping children's experiences of parental imprisonment. With this framework, we aim to inform child-centered policies and practices to mitigate the negative effects of parental incarceration while fostering resilience. At the conference, we will present our preliminary findings from this systematic review.

Authors

• Joyce Alice Albrecht, Member

• Simon Venema, Addiction Mental Health Care Northern Netherlands / Hanze University of Applied Sciences / University of Groningen