2017/08/01 by Rebecca J. Shlafer, Tyler Reedy, Laurel Davis
paper · doi:10.1111/josh.12539
crossref issued 2017/08/01 · crossref published 2017/08/01 · crossref published-online 2017/08/01 · crossref created 2017/08/02 · crossref published-print 2017/09/01 · crossref deposited 2023/09/16 · crossref indexed 2026/07/31
ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Parental incarceration impacts millions of children in the United States and has important consequences for youths' adjustment and school‐based outcomes. METHODS Using data from a survey of youth behavior in one large Midwestern state, we examined the effect of both present and past parental incarceration on school‐based outcomes, across 3 school settings (public schools, alternative learning centers, and juvenile correctional facilities). RESULTS Parental incarceration was significantly associated with students' poor school‐based outcomes; however, these effects varied markedly by school setting. Among youth in public schools, parental incarceration was consistently associated with poor school outcomes. There were mixed effects among youth in alternative learning centers and no significant effects among youth in juvenile correctional facilities. CONCLUSIONS The study adds to a body of literature demonstrating the negative effects of parental incarceration on youth's school‐based outcomes for youth in public schools; however, findings were mixed for youth in alternative learning centers and juvenile correctional facilities. Implications for future research and school practitioners are discussed.