2022/07/18 by Luke Muentner, Pajarita Charles
Psychology · Social Sciences · #Child Abuse and Trauma #Coparenting #Counseling, Therapy, and Family Dynamics #Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis #Criminology #Developmental psychology #Family reunification #Immigration #Political science #Prison #Psychological resilience #Psychology #Qualitative research #Recidivism #Social psychology #Sociology #Thematic analysis
paper · pdf · doi:10.1111/fare.12739
crossref issued 2022/07/18 · crossref published 2022/07/18 · crossref published-online 2022/07/18 · openalex publication_date 2022/07/18 · crossref created 2022/07/18 · crossref published-print 2023/07/01 · crossref deposited 2023/08/19 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/02 · crossref indexed 2026/08/02
Objective: This qualitative study examined adult perspectives on the adjustments children face through the process of paternal incarceration and eventual release. Background: While the United States leads the world in incarceration, 95% of imprisoned individuals return to community life. Despite poor outcomes for children with incarcerated fathers, less is known as to how they fair after fathers' release. Conceptualizing paternal incarceration and reentry as linked rather than disparate events, this study examines perspectives on family separation, reunification, and children's adjustment when fathers return from prison. Method: The sample consisted of 38 participants (19 previously incarcerated fathers, nine coparenting mothers, and 10 relatives) who shared perspectives on 63 children's adjustments. The semistructured interviews were analyzed via thematic analysis. Results: Two main themes were evident: (a) Paternal incarceration has a lasting toll on children that complicates reunification processes, introduces hurdles to maintaining togetherness, and is tied to changes in children's behaviors; and (b) reentry renews opportunity for father involvement that bolsters resilience despite ongoing systemic vulnerabilities. Conclusion: Postrelease family reunification may present challenges for children's adjustment, though supported transitions may curb some concerns. The findings call for strengths-oriented, needs-focused, and evidence-based reentry strategies that support entire family systems.