Corrections_Today_March_April_2023_Vol.85_No.2

■ FAMILY SUPPORT

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were overactive (20%), isolated (14%), and aggressive (7%). They concluded that those who were not well adjusted were at risk for hyperactivity, depression and aggression. 37 The school setting, which could be used to identify and support children with incarcerated parents, can often intensify children’s problems related to a parent’s incarceration. Children with incarcerated parents can experience stigma in the school setting and it appears children who experience maternal incarceration are at greater risk. In a study of 73 teachers, Dallaire et al., (2010) found teachers rated children with an incarcerated parent as less competent, thereby having lower expecta tions for them. 38 It is clear stigmatization may not only come from peers but from the trusted caregivers during a child’s school day. Coping If children are able to cope with adverse events, like a parent’s incarceration, they are more resilient; resiliency is associated with minimized presentation of internalizing and externalizing behaviors. In a rare study, where the researchers examined the impact of parental incarceration on children from their own point-of-view, the researchers found all children experienced stress as a result of their parent’s incarceration (i.e., separation from parent, loss of emotional and financial support, etc.), which was added

on to an already stressful situation prior to their parent’s incarceration. 39 These children struggled with feelings of isolation (unable to identify with others, told to keep the incarceration a secret, etc.), anger, disappointment, and worry, both directly and indirectly about the incarcera tion. Some children had adult support, while others found various ways to cope (i.e., involvement in sports, theater, church). Support systems helped to build confidence, pro vide outlets for anger, provide a focus beyond the stress at home and provide opportunities for friendship. Not all children had these coping strategies or systems of support, and those were the children at heightened risk for mental health problems. Generally, coping strategies can include maintaining distance from an incarcerated parent, normalization of incar ceration, distractions through school, supportive peers and adults, therapy and faith. 40 In a study by Johnson and East erling (2015), the researchers found adolescents coped with parental incarceration via deidentification from the incarcer ated parent (i.e., distance themselves from the incarcerated parent to reduce stress and stigma), desensitization to incarceration (i.e., the children’s emotions toward incarcera tion became less intense as time passes) and strengthening through control (i.e., taking charge of one’s life by doing well in school, helping others, etc.). 41 The authors state how children cope has implications for psychological and emotional health.

38 — March/April 2023 Corrections Today