Imprisoned Fathers and their Children: A Reflection on Two Decades of Research

Boswell, Gwyneth

doi:10.1080/13575279.2017.1420037

Cited by 9 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 10 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Similar observations were made with primary carer fathers in Victoria (Bartlett and Eriksson, 2018). This may be linked, in whole or in part, to the challenges emanating from, at times, hostile attitudes from staff towards family members -a factor highlighted in research with incarcerated fathers (Boswell, 2018) and on prison visiting more generally (see Arditti, 2003;Scharff Smith and Jakobsen, 2014). It is challenges such as these that can inhibit ongoing physical contact (Dennison et al, 2014;Roettger and Swisher, 2013;Visher, 2013), thus compounding the distance, both literally and figuratively, between incarcerated fathers and their children.…”

Section: Prison Visiting For Fathers and Their Childrensupporting

confidence: 59%

“…Research indicates that father absence due to, and during, incarceration affects children in a number of ways (see Boswell, 2018;Geller et al, 2012;Murray and Farrington, 2005;Walker and McCarthy, 2005). Paternal incarceration may lead to the loss of consistent father-child interaction (Sharp et al, 1998) and COIP, more generally, are consistently shown to experience a range of challenges including depression, anxiety and sadness, nightmares and sleeping problems (Johnston and Gabel, 1995;Scharff Smith, 2014).…”

Section: Imprisoned Fathers and Their Childrenmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Supporting incarcerated fathers: An exploration of research and practice in Victoria, Australia

Bartlett

2018

Probation Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In recent decades the number of incarcerated parents has increased on a global scale. The majority of these prisoners are men, yet there has been very little formal attention concerning the parenting status of these men, despite knowledge about the impact of parental incarceration on children being well established. In Victoria, Australia, some 93 per cent of prisoners are men, and more than half of these are fathers, yet they have also attracted limited scholarly and practitioner attention. This article explores research and practice accounts regarding support for incarcerated fathers and their children, particularly emphasising visiting, supported/visiting and fathering units, to build knowledge in Victoria. To do so it examines 36 publications from 2000 to 2018, addressing a gap in knowledge relating to supporting father-child relationships from prison. It concludes by offering pragmatic solutions for the development of supports that will contribute to the maintenance of these relationships.

show abstract

Section: Prison Visiting For Fathers and Their Childrensupporting

confidence: 59%

Section: Imprisoned Fathers and Their Childrenmentioning

confidence: 99%

Supporting incarcerated fathers: An exploration of research and practice in Victoria, Australia

Bartlett

2018

Probation Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Findings also indicate that PI was associated with higher levels of caregiver reported emotional difficulties when compared with nonaffected peers at Wave 2. Our study adds to the literature in two ways; first, the study addresses previous methodological limitations by using a matched control in a longitudinal data set (Murray et al, 2008; Dallaire et al, ; Boswell, ). Second, the study uses multi‐informant perspectives contributing a more nuanced understanding of the potential impact of PI on child development (Johnson & Easterling, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…Many longitudinal studies rely on adult reports of child outcomes (Johnson & Easterling, ). More research is called for using longitudinal data (Boswell, ) and multi‐informant perspectives when researching children's internalizing and externalizing difficulties (De Los Reyes et al, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Longitudinal associations between parental incarceration and children's emotional and behavioural development: Results from a population cohort study

Bradshaw

Hannigan

Creaven

et al. 2019

Child

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Parental incarceration (PI) is associated with adverse developmental outcomes for children affected. However, research in this area often reports conflicting results with few studies following children across time in non-U.S.populations. Additionally, more research is called for using multi-informant perspectives rather than relying on adult reports of child outcomes alone.Methods: This study used data from the first two waves of a nationally representative cohort study of 8,568 children aged 9 years and followed up at age 13 living in the Republic of Ireland (2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012). Propensity score matching was used to match children who had experienced PI by the age of nine to children who had not experienced PI by sociodemographics and experience of other stressful events. Mental health, as measured by self-concept (Piers-Harris II) and externalizing and internalizing difficulties (strength and difficulties questionnaire), was compared across both groups. Results: Fifty of the 8,568 children (weighted percentage 0.9%) reported experiencing PI by the age of nine. These children came from more socially disadvantaged homes and were more likely to have experienced other potentially stressful life events. In comparison to a matched sample of children not affected by PI, children affected by PI reported higher levels of anxiety at age nine. Longitudinal analysis indicated these children affected by PI also reported lower levels of happiness at age 13 with higher levels of emotional difficulties reported by their primary caregiver. Conclusions: Children of incarcerated parents face a greater array of life challenges.PI had an association with child-reported levels of anxiety at age nine. PI also had a medium-term association on caregiver assessments of emotional difficulties of children affected as well child-reported levels of happiness over time.

show abstract

“…Sociology researchers (Edin et al, 2019), found that fathers who took an active fathering role with their children while still incarcerated were also more actively engaged in legitimate employment opportunities after release and less likely to become involved in illegal activities. Researchers note that the experiences of fathers in reconnecting and reestablishing a relationship with their children after a period of incarceration vary widely; however, there is compelling evidence that developing a positive connection with children and actively taking on a parenting role while incarcerated directly impacts the chances of success during the reentry phase of prisoner release and reintegration into the community (Boswell, 2018).…”

Section: Parenting Education and Reentry Successmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Value of Fathering for Incarcerated Offenders: Implementing the “Parents as Teachers” Curriculum in Greene County, Missouri

Hass-Wisecup¹,

Kenny²,

Adams-Derousse³

2021

IJSSS

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Research literature demonstrates the positive contributions of a nurturing father in the lives of young people as well as the reduction of recidivism for active fathers. The current study provides support for this model by highlighting the need for programming that enhances the relationship between incarcerated fathers and their children during their period of absence and while transitioning back into society and their family roles. The authors observed a parenting education program for incarcerated fathers twice weekly for a period of twelve weeks. The research noted three promising themes in the programming which could be expanded and implemented in other facilities. Fathers sought to improve their capacity to engage in “intentional conversations,” where they learned about modeling desirable behavior, being honest, and avoiding giving children mixed messages. Fathers also began the uncomfortable process of unpacking their own childhoods and overcoming poor parental models as they realized that “parenting makes a difference.” Through the program, fathers were encouraged to develop a “toolkit” of more positive parenting responsibilities and responses. Finally, fathers were introduced to the idea of “healthy relationships,” including creating strong boundaries and new types of relationship knowledge.

show abstract

Imprisoned Fathers and their Children: A Reflection on Two Decades of Research

Cited by 9 publications

References 10 publications

Supporting incarcerated fathers: An exploration of research and practice in Victoria, Australia

Supporting incarcerated fathers: An exploration of research and practice in Victoria, Australia

Longitudinal associations between parental incarceration and children's emotional and behavioural development: Results from a population cohort study

The Value of Fathering for Incarcerated Offenders: Implementing the “Parents as Teachers” Curriculum in Greene County, Missouri

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About