The Lived Experience of Sisters With an Incarcerated Brother: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

The major increase of incarcerated individuals in the United States has led to a variety of issues. The experience of incarceration has an impact on not only the individual but the entire family system. However, the impact on the sibling relationship has yet to be explored in the literature. The current study examined the lived experience of sisters with an incarcerated brother. In this qualitative study, semi-structured interviews with five sisters with an incarcerated brother were conducted. The results displayed five themes that emerged from the interviews: emotional impact, adjustment, prison experience, family impact, and stigma. The results informed clinical implications for marriage and family therapists working within the incarcerated population. In addition, specific suggestions are provided in how to best advocate for this population through research and clinical work. Moreover, the current study punctuates the specific and dire need for therapeutic intervention and broader policy change among many other efforts.

Advocating for an Incarcerated Informed Lens in Therapy

“…Incarceration can negatively impact the quality of family relationships (Hairston, 2001; Tadros et al, 2019, 2020a). When an individual is incarcerated, his or her family is negatively affected as well.…”

“…These stressors have a disproportionate impact on the children. A study sought to understand the experience of sisters of incarcerated brothers (Tadros et al, 2020a). Semi-structured interviews with sisters of an incarcerated brother were conducted.…”

“…Themes emerged from the interviews such as emotional impact, adjustment, prison experience, family impact, and stigma emerged from the interviews. Results demonstrated the need for therapeutic intervention and broader policy change (Tadros et al, 2020a). Mental health professionals have introduced an approach to practice positive conflict resolution techniques and encourage positive communication toward their significant other while within these incarcerated settings (Marigold & Anderson, 2016).…”

Treating Mental Illness and Relational Concerns in Incarcerated Settings

“…Defining normal family development can be an additional layer of complexity when a member of the family system is incarcerated (Tadros & Finney, 2018). Therefore, to incorporate incarcerated parents and other family members back into the family’s hierarchy and overall structure, a systemic lens has been recommended to be utilized (Tadros et al, 2019, 2020a; 2021). Further, it has been recently documented that a future challenge for researchers and policy makers will be to explore the best way of providing support to family members prior to incarceration instead of relying on treatments later on in the process (McCarthy & Adams, 2019).…”

Exploring the Impacts of Racial Disparity Within the American Juvenile Justice System

“…Negative outcomes and consequences of incarceration has the power to impact the incarcerated individual as well as the entire family system (Tadros & Finney, 2018; Tadros et al, 2020). Family‐based treatments have shown effectiveness within racial and ethnic groups (Datchi et al, 2016; Henggeler & Sheidow, 2011).…”