abstract
A secondary analysis of data from adult female prison inmates in the mid-Atlantic United States defined relationships between having incarcerated adult family members during childhood and neurological outcomes. Of 135 inmates, 99 (60%) had one or more incarcerated adult family members during childhood. Regression analyses revealed that having incarcerated adult family members was related to greater frequency and severity of childhood abuse and higher incidence of neurological deficits in adulthood, especially related to traumatic brain injuries, compared to those without incarcerated adult family members. Along with being role models, adult family members impact the neurological health of children throughout their life-span.
Funding
Data collection for this study was funded in part by the National Institutes of Health 20RR016472-04, T32NR07036, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society, Rehabilitation Nursing Foundation, The Baxter Foundation, University of Delaware General University Research Fund, and University of Delaware Research Foundation.