The impact of maternal incarceration on family functioning over 15 years
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The U.S. has seen a substantial increase in incarcerated women since the 1990s, most of which are mothers. Women who experience cumulative oppression prior to incarceration (e.g., financial strain, substance use, violence, etc.) often commit crime to alleviate negative emotions. Moreover, adolescents with an incarcerated parent are more likely to engage in delinquent behaviors. Within the limited literature, there is a clear connection between maternal incarceration and negative child outcomes. Guided by feminist theory and using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS) Years 1--15-year follow-ups, I hypothesized that 1) financial strain, substance use, and IPV (Years 1 and 3) would be associated with maternal incarceration (Year 5), 2) maternal incarceration (Year 5), would be positively associated with adolescent delinquency and negatively associated with family well-being, and 3) maternal incarceration (Year 5) would mediate the relationship between the early childhood environments (Years 1 and 3) and adolescent delinquent behaviors and family well-being (Year 15). Results indicated that maternal incarceration medicated the relationship between increased maternal substance use and IPV with higher levels of parenting stress and lower levels or family engagement. Results demonstrate implications for family well-being, as an event of maternal incarceration is predictive of lower levels of family engagement over time. Thus, efforts should be made to increase and maintain family contact and engagement, especially after an event of maternal incarceration.
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M.S.