Child well-being when fathers return from prison

ABSTRACT

A majority of men incarcerated are fathers, but little research has been conducted on the children’s well-being after their father’s release from incarceration. We measured changes in internalizing and externalizing problems (based on father’s and female partner’s report) across a 34-month period among children ages 6–17 (n = 431). Results suggested increased internalizing and externalizing problems in older children, increased internalizing problems when fathers had problem alcohol use, and a moderating role of father–child coresidence and father–child relationship. Programs to promote paternal well-being and father–child relationships before and after reentry may benefit children of incarcerated fathers.

KEYWORDS:

• Externalizing problems
• father–child relationships
• incarceration
• internalizing problems
• reentry

Acknowledgement

This article was prepared by RTI International with support from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation and the Office of Family Assistance/Administration for Children and Families within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Contract HHSP2332006290YC, September 2006). The views, opinions, and findings expressed in this document are those of the report authors and do not necessarily represent the official positions and policies of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [Grant Number HHSP2332006290YC].