Children of Incarcerated Parents: Integrating Research into Best Practices and Policy

This book provides multidimensional knowledge on children of incarcerated parents using Bronfenbrenners ecological theory, examining the supportive and stress-producing levels of the environment. It explores four levels of the environment, discussing factors that influence resilience and risk in children from gestation through young adulthood. It also covers state and national policies, the state of knowledge, and implications for research and practice to improve outcomes for these children.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 271 pages
Publication date: 13 April 2023
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This comprehensive book delves into the multifaceted world of children with incarcerated parents, utilizing Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory as a guiding framework. It explores the varying degrees of support and stress that different environmental levels provide, ultimately influencing resilience and risk. The volume comprehensively examines four distinct levels of the environment: microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, and macrosystem. Within each level, specific theories and paradigms are intricately woven into the inquiry, fostering a deeper understanding of the factors influencing children's well-being.

At the child and family level, the book sheds light on the factors that shape resilience and risk throughout a child's lifespan, from gestation to young adulthood. It examines the impact of parental incarceration on children's development, including their emotional, social, and academic outcomes. Additionally, it explores the role of community factors, such as social support networks, educational opportunities, and access to resources, in fostering resilience and mitigating risk.

Furthermore, the book critically analyzes state and national policies that shape the availability and quality of services for children of incarcerated parents. It examines the disparities in service access and utilization, highlighting the need for policy reforms to improve outcomes for these children. The book also provides an overview and evaluation of the current knowledge base on children of incarcerated parents, highlighting areas where research is needed to enhance understanding and inform practice.

To aid researchers in identifying knowledge gaps and distilling evidence-based information, the book offers an organizing framework that categorizes and consolidates relevant research findings. This framework serves as a valuable resource for practitioners, therapists, and other professionals working with children of incarcerated parents, enabling them to apply the latest insights to their work.

Children of Incarcerated Parents is an indispensable resource for researchers, professors, graduate students, practitioners, therapists, and professionals across a wide range of disciplines, including child and school psychology, family studies, public health, and developmental psychology. By shedding light on the complex dynamics between children, families, and the broader environment, this book contributes to our understanding of the challenges faced by these children and offers practical strategies for promoting their well-being and resilience.

Weight: 462g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030847159
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022