This longitudinal, mixed method study focused on 57 families of children who participated in a mentoring program for children of incarcerated parents. Children ranged in age from 4 to 15 years. Monthly interviews were conducted with children, caregivers, and mentors during the first six months of program participation, and questionnaires were administered at intake and six months to assess caregiver-child and incarcerated parent-child relationships, contact with incarcerated parents, and children's behavior problems. Although some children viewed their incarcerated parents as positive attachment figures, other children reported negative feelings toward or no relationship with incarcerated parents. In addition, our assessments of children nine years old and older revealed that having no contact with the incarcerated parent was associated with children reporting more feelings of alienation toward that parent compared to children who had contact. Children's behavior problems were a primary concern, often occurring in a relational context or in reaction to social stigma associated with parental imprisonment.

The differential susceptibility to parenting model was examined in relation to toddler self-regulation in a prospective longitudinal study of infants born preterm or low birth weight. We followed 153 mother–infant dyads across five time points between the infant’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit stay and 24 months postterm. Assessments of infant temperament, quality of early parenting interactions, contextual variables, and toddler effortful control and behavior problems were conducted. Results supported differential susceptibility and dual risk models in addition to documenting main effects of early parenting on children’s emerging self-regulation. Our data suggested that preterm or low birth weight infants who were prone to distress or rated by mothers as more difficult were particularly susceptible to the effects of early negative parenting.

Reliable information about children of incarcerated people is difficult to obtain, and major gaps exist in our understanding of their well-being. This study aims to determine whether adolescents with incarcerated parents report higher levels of mental health problems than those without an incarcerated parent, and whether the relationship between parental incarceration and adolescent mental health is moderated by parent-child relationships. Using a statewide survey from one US state, we compared adolescents with a currently incarcerated parent to those with a formerly incarcerated parent and those with no history of parental incarceration on self-reported indicators of mental health, and examined whether strong parent-child relationships were protective against mental health concerns. Results indicate that adolescents with incarcerated parents are at elevated risk for mental health problems, and strong parent-child relationships partially buffer children from risk. Findings underscore the need for more investment in effective early interventions for adolescents in highly adverse contexts.

OBJECTIVES:To determine if longitudinal associations exist between parental incarceration (PI) and health care use or health behaviors among a national sample of young adults. METHODS:We used the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent to Adult Health to examine associations between history of mother incarceration (MI) and father incarceration (FI), health care use, and 3 dimensions of health behaviors (eg, general health behaviors, substance use, and other risky behaviors) (N = 13 084). Multivariable logistic regression models accounted for individual, family, and geographic factors and generated adjusted odds ratios (aORs). RESULTS:Over 10% of the sample had a history of PI before the age of 18. History of MI and FI were both associated with forgone health care (aOR = 1 CONCLUSIONS:The effects of incarceration extend beyond incarcerated individuals. PI histories are associated with lower health care use and unhealthy behaviors in young adulthood. By addressing barriers to health care and health-harming behaviors, health care providers and policy makers may reduce health disparities among this population. Dr Heard-Garris conceived and designed the study, acquired data, conducted data analysis and interpretation, and drafted the initial manuscript; Dr Winkelman conceived and designed the study, acquired data, conducted data analysis and interpretation, and provided critical revisions to the manuscript; Dr Choi assisted in data analysis and interpretation and provided critical revisions to the manuscript; Mr Miller conducted the literature review for the study and provided critical revisions to the manuscript; Dr Kan conceived and designed the study, acquired and interpreted data, and provided critical revisions to the manuscript; Dr Shlafer interpreted data and provided critical revisions to the manuscript; Dr Davis interpreted data, provided critical PEDIATRICS Volume 142, number 2, August 2018:e20174314 WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT:A history of parental incarceration (PI) is associated with poor physical and mental health outcomes into adulthood. However, the relationship between PI and health care use and multidimensional health behaviors has been understudied. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS:Young adults with PI histories are less likely to use health care and more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors compared with peers without PI. PI has been identified as 1 of several adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), a group of traumatic or persistent childhood experiences associated with poor physical and mental health across the life course. 8 -11 PI is associated with learning delays and behavioral problems, 12 -15 perhaps because of the traumatic separation from a parent, the loss of parental resources, and the lack of social support. 7,12 The authors of a growing body of literature indicate that PI is detrimental to health in childhood and adulthood. The prevalence of asthma, HIV and AIDS, depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder is higher among individuals with a history of PI. 16,17 In contrast to wha...