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Abstract
Previous studies have found that children may experience adverse effects from parental imprisonment. However, little research concerning this issue from children's perspectives has been undertaken in Hong Kong. In order to fill the knowledge gap, this study aims at exploring the challenges and resilience of children with a parent in prison. Nine children aged between 9 and 11 years with a parent in prison, and their caregivers, were interviewed. Their life experience and feelings during parental imprisonment were explored. The caregivers were asked about changes in the children's behaviour and resilience in the children. Children reported that they experienced academic stress and psychological distress, including sadness and problems in having to conceal their parent's imprisonment. They benefited through positive thinking, holding religious beliefs and talking to trusted persons. For caregivers, children's conduct problems, psychological distress and suppression of feelings were reported as the challenges children faced, while object hitting for venting emotion, religious beliefs and engagement in activities were reported as helping children to cope. The article concludes by making a number of recommendations concerning the provision of services, including the establishment of mutual-aid self-help groups, mentoring programmes and programmes promoting the importance of positive thinking for the children, and trainings for caregivers on understanding children's needs, as well as public education on the social stigma of parental imprisonment.
摘要: 以前的研究均发现儿童会因其父母在囚而受到负面影响， 但一直以来， 香港只有少量的研究以儿童角度出发。 为了补充这方面知识的缺失， 本文会研究在囚父母的子女所面对的挑战及其抗逆力。本研究访问了 9位年龄介乎9岁至11岁的在囚父母的子女及他们现时的照顾者。希望了解子女在父母服刑时期的生活经历和感受； 通过对照顾者的访谈，也希望了解这些孩子行为的变化以及抗逆力。 孩子们反映他们曾经历学业和心理压力，包括忧伤及隐瞒父母在囚所带来的问题。 但通过正面思维、 宗教信仰及与可信任的人交流，他们获益良多。照顾者则反映在囚父母的子女面对的挑战包括品行问题、 心理困扰、 以及情绪压抑。 但他们发现击打物件可以帮助孩子们发泄情绪、宗教信奉及参与不同活动可以协助这些孩子克服面对的困境。 文章总结出几项服务提供的建议，包括成立互助小组、 建立学长计划、 推广儿童正向思维的重要性、 培训照顾者如何理解儿童需求，以及推动公共教育以去除社会普遍对在囚父母负面标签。