The Impact of a Parent's Incarceration on a Child in Care: A Qualitative Research Study

Abstract

Incarceration has a significant impact on many areas of the imprisoned person's life. The incarcerated person's family is also severely affected. The children of these families in particular are the ones who carry significant and profound traumas into their lives. Some children live in an institutional setting, which is also a fact that causes trauma. In this paper, we will focus specifically on the impact of a parent's incarceration on a child growing up in a children's home. Using a qualitative research design, we sought to identify the areas most affected by a parent's incarceration. We found that the social competencies of the children studied were the most affected. Based on our results, we will recommend modifications to the educational process in children's homes.