Understanding The Impact Of Incarceration On Family Mental Health
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Incarceration is a significant social issue with effects that extend far beyond the individual behind bars. The impact of incarceration on family mental health is profound, often affecting the physical and psychological well-being of family members left behind. Families can face a host of challenges, from economic hardships to emotional distress, often leading to poor mental health consequences. Understanding these effects may help affected families address the broader public health implications and improve their support systems.
How incarceration impacts individuals
The initial effects of incarceration tend to fall on the individual behind bars. Incarceration often results in significant psychological, social, and economic consequences.
Mental health and social reintegration
Existing or developing symptoms of mental health conditions are often exacerbated by the isolating and harsh conditions of prison life. An article published by the Prison Policy Initiative explains, “incarceration itself perpetuates this problem by creating and worsening symptoms of mental illness.”
Socially, incarceration can sever family ties and disrupt social networks, leaving individuals alienated and stigmatized. Furthermore, the stigma associated with imprisonment can hinder reintegration into society, often making it challenging for former inmates to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to their communities.
How incarceration affects children and families
The impact of incarceration extends beyond the incarcerated individual, often affecting one’s family members. Family members, especially children, may experience a sense of abandonment, shame, and stigma, which can have lasting effects on their mental and physical health. Incarceration often disrupts family structures, potentially leading to increased stress, anxiety, and economic challenges.
Family mental health and child well-being
The absence of a family member can strain the remaining family dynamics, placing additional responsibilities on other family members, leading to further stress and poor mental health outcomes. According to a 2010 Pew Charitable Trust report, “more than 1.1 million men and 120,000 women in U. jails and prisons have children under the age of 17, and 2.7 million children nationwide have one or both parents behind bars.”
Children's health outcomes
Children of incarcerated parents are among the most vulnerable to the adverse effects of incarceration. The separation caused by parental incarceration can contribute to various mental health problems. Parental incarceration can lead to disrupted attachments, behavioral problems, and difficulties in school. These children may also be more likely to develop mental disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Social and economic challenges
The incarceration of a parent or family member often results in significant social and economic challenges. Families may lose a primary income provider, leading to financial instability and poverty. Research shows that the rising number of incarcerated fathers is linked to higher rates of homelessness in children. This finding may be the result of incarceration depleting family finances and placing additional burdens on the non-incarcerated, remaining parent if the child has one.
Economic strain may exacerbate stress and contribute to physical and mental health issues. Additionally, the stigma associated with having an incarcerated family member can lead to social isolation and reduced access to support networks.
For the incarcerated individual, the negative impact of an arrest record tends to continue after release. Even without a conviction or charge, former inmates can face many barriers when pursuing gainful employment after serving time. These challenges are further exacerbated by policies that ban people with certain convictions from receiving cash welfare and food stamps, as well as broader policies that limit their access to subsidized housing.
The social stigma and economic challenges surrounding incarceration can create a cycle of poor physical and mental health outcomes for everyone involved, making it difficult for families to break free from the negative effects.
Examining the public health implications of incarceration
High prison admission rates may not only affect the immediate family members of those behind bars. Research shows high rates of incarceration have profound effects on the health of entire communities and neighborhoods.
An article published by The Atlantic explores the extensive social and public health impacts of high incarceration rates in communities that see a significant portion of their residents incarcerated. The article explains, “Residents of neighborhoods with high incarceration rates endure disproportionate stress since these communities face disrupted social and family networks alongside elevated rates of crime and infectious diseases.”
Additional studies found that residents in areas with high incarceration rates are significantly more likely to live with a mental health disorder. This means that high incarceration rates affect everyone in the community, not just those who are imprisoned.
Similar studies, as well as documentaries, suggest that the current approach to criminal justice may be contributing to these problems, revealing that harsher sentencing and higher incarceration rates do not necessarily reduce crime. Instead, they may create more problems, like mental health challenges and ongoing poverty. This cycle of incarceration and poverty can be challenging to break, as families and communities struggle with the constant loss and stress of having family members or loved ones in prison.
Support options
Therapy can often play a crucial role in supporting incarcerated individuals and their families, providing a platform for emotional expression, healing, and personal growth. For inmates, therapy may address underlying issues like trauma, addiction, and anger management, fostering rehabilitation and reducing recidivism.
Supporting families through therapy
Families may benefit from improved communication, understanding, and coping strategies, which may help them maintain strong relationships despite physical separation. A therapist may help these individuals work through the mental health impacts of having an incarcerated loved one. However, it may be difficult to access therapy in one’s area, especially when facing financial barriers. In these cases, online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp may be more accessible.
Benefits of online therapy for mental health support
Online therapy can make mental health support more accessible and affordable. Online platforms often eliminate logistical barriers, such as transportation and scheduling conflicts. Additionally, specific online therapy platforms may offer unique tools like support groups, journaling prompts, worksheets, and goal tracking.
Studies have found that internet-based therapy can be as effective as, if not more effective than, in-person therapy. In one study, internet therapy was found to be effective in reducing symptoms of mental illness in family members living with a family member with severe mental illness, as well as chronic stress impacting the family unit.
Takeaway
By understanding and addressing the mental and physical health impacts of incarceration, society may work toward better health outcomes for all affected family members. If you are struggling to cope with mental health topics related to incarceration or family difficulties, you might consider reaching out to a therapist online or in your area for personalized support and guidance.
What is the impact of incarceration on family mental health, and how does it affect the well-being of those left behind?
Incarceration can lead to stress, anxiety, and emotional distress for families left behind, often resulting in long-term mental health challenges and strained relationships.
Studies on mass incarceration among certain communities also found higher levels of aggressive behavior and lower educational performance among family members. Researchers suggest children affected by parental incarceration also have higher rates of substance use, intimate partner violence, and mental health problems later in life. Urban families may be particularly impacted by paternal or maternal incarceration in correctional facilities.
What are the potential health outcomes for a child when a family member faces incarceration?
A child with an incarcerated family member may face adverse health outcomes such as increased risk of depression, anxiety, behavioral problems, and difficulties in social and academic development. In some cases, children’s antisocial behavior can be attributed to a parent’s incarceration history or criminal justice contact (i.e., incarcerated mothers or incarcerated fathers).
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the majority of inmates in the U.S. have minor children. A recent systematic review of affected families identified several risk factors for children of incarcerated parents. Findings suggest these children may be at an increased risk of substance use disorders and externalizing disorders.
Other studies in political and social science point to an association with marijuana and other illegal drug use, but other factors must be considered. Researchers suggest intervention efforts could change the life course for young adults with a father or mother incarcerated.
How does the impact of incarceration on family mental health affect the stability of family relationships?
The impact of incarceration on family mental health can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and communication breakdowns, which can weaken trust and disrupt the stability of family relationships. More research is needed to account for missing data and better understand the impact of father or mother incarceration versus other risk factors on the quality of relationships.
What are the problems of children with incarcerated parents?
Children with incarcerated parents may face emotional challenges like anxiety and depression, behavioral issues, and difficulties in school due to disrupted attachments and social stigma.
Other childhood health concerns may include developmental delays and speech and language problems. It’s clear that child wellbeing is directly impacted by a parent’s involvement with the criminal justice system. This puts paternal incarceration in line with other adverse childhood experiences like childhood abuse (e.g., physical child abuse, neglect, or sexual abuse).
What support systems are available to help families deal with the mental health impact of incarceration?
Support systems like counseling, community support groups, and online therapy platforms can help families manage the emotional and psychological stress of having an incarcerated loved one. You may also find additional support services and resources from organizations like the World Health Organization, Advocates for Children of Incarcerated Parents, and Prison Families Alliance, for example.
How do you cope with your spouse being incarcerated?
Coping with your spouse being incarcerated can be challenging. Here are some tips:
- Communicate regularly through phone calls and letters.
- Practice self-care.
- Find a support group or build one.
- Set healthy boundaries that allow you to continue living your life.
- If you have children younger than 18, focus on them.
How do you help someone who has been incarcerated?
There could be many ways to help someone who has been incarcerated. Examples include:
- Recommend counseling services for mental health symptoms.
- Offer to help with minor children while the person is incarcerated.
- Encourage educational attainment through prison college programs.
- Communicate through letters and phone calls.
What do you say to someone who is incarcerated?
It can be difficult to know what to say to someone who is incarcerated. It could be best to use supportive and uplifting language to encourage them and avoid saying anything judgemental. Listen and validate their feelings.
How to help someone with post-incarceration syndrome?
Many jail and prison inmates may experience mental health problems as a result of the harsh prison environment. Collectively, these problems are referred to as post-incarceration syndrome, or PICS. Some symptoms and co-occurring disorders associated with PICS include:
- Psychological distress
- Substance misuse
- Poor health (physically and/or mentally)
- Difficulty maintaining relationships
- Institutionalized personality traits
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
For better mental health, it could be necessary for the person to seek professional therapy or counseling services.
What do you call someone who used to be incarcerated?
You could call someone who used to be incarcerated a “ex-offender” or “formerly incarcerated person”.
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