Dallaire, D. (2007) Children with incarcerated mothers: Developmental outcomes, special challenges, and recommendations. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology. 28(1), 15-24. doi:10.1016/j.appdev.2006.10.003
Dallaire’s research examined the psychological and socio-emotional well-being of children of incarcerated mothers via recent statistics from the Bureau of Justice, Child League of America, and previous research. Using the developmental perspective, the author analyzed how the child’s relationships at home and school were potential risk and protective factors.
The author found that that family processes, or the cyclical nature of one’s upbringing and life course, play a major role in the risks that children of incarcerated mothers face. The criminal activity, sexual, psychological, or physical abuse they often face increase the risk of children of …show more content…
To gain insights to the extent that women and children were impacted by crime and violence, the researchers conducted interviews with 60 women incarcerated at a maximum-security prison. Their median age was 31 years, and nearly 90% of them had children of their own or took care of their partner’s children for a considerable period of time. In conclusion, it is difficult to isolate the effects of maternal incarceration on children’s attachment style. However, the child who were a direct witnesses to physical or verbal abuse experienced psychological, emotional, and behavioral effects. To combat this, the authors suggested mentoring initiatives and linking child welfare professionals more regularly with children of incarcerated mothers.
Mackintosh, V., Myers, B., & Kennon, S. (2006). Children of incarcerated mothers and their caregivers: Factors affecting the quality of their relationship. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 15(5), 581-596.
Dallaire’s research examined the psychological and socio-emotional well-being of children of incarcerated mothers via recent statistics from the Bureau of Justice, Child League of America, and previous research. Using the developmental perspective, the author analyzed how the child’s relationships at home and school were potential risk and protective factors.
The author found that that family processes, or the cyclical nature of one’s upbringing and life course, play a major role in the risks that children of incarcerated mothers face. The criminal activity, sexual, psychological, or physical abuse they often face increase the risk of children of …show more content…
To gain insights to the extent that women and children were impacted by crime and violence, the researchers conducted interviews with 60 women incarcerated at a maximum-security prison. Their median age was 31 years, and nearly 90% of them had children of their own or took care of their partner’s children for a considerable period of time. In conclusion, it is difficult to isolate the effects of maternal incarceration on children’s attachment style. However, the child who were a direct witnesses to physical or verbal abuse experienced psychological, emotional, and behavioral effects. To combat this, the authors suggested mentoring initiatives and linking child welfare professionals more regularly with children of incarcerated mothers.
Mackintosh, V., Myers, B., & Kennon, S. (2006). Children of incarcerated mothers and their caregivers: Factors affecting the quality of their relationship. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 15(5), 581-596.