Parental incarceration: The challenges for attachment researchers

Abstract

This commentary has two parts. In the first part I highlight major theoretical issues raised by the two integrative articles, adding my own perspective and interpretations. Next I discuss selected findings from the two intervention programs designed to enhance infant–mother attachment in prison- and jail-diversion nurseries and the multi-informant interview study of children's, caregivers', and mentors' comments about an incarcerated parent. I offer some additional background, queries, and what I hope to be clarifications. In the second part of this commentary, I reflect on ways in which theory and findings presented in this special issue might inform future intervention research on children of incarcerated parents and their families, briefly touching on issues related to recruitment of participants, research design, and qualitative and quantitative measures, as well as required conceptual innovations, social policy, and advocacy.

Keywords:

• parental incarceration
• prison nursery
• attachment and incarceration
• attachment interventions

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the contributors to this special issue for their stimulating contributions and their patient and prompt responses to queries while I was writing this commentary. Any factual errors are, of course, mine.