Paternal incarceration and adolescent well-being: Life course contingencies and other moderators

Citation

Swisher, R. R. & Shaw-Smith, U. R. (2015). Paternal incarceration and adolescent well-being: Life course contingencies and other moderators. Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology. vol. 104 (4) pp. 929-959

Abstract

Parental incarceration has been found to be associated with a wide range of negative outcomes in both childhood and adolescence. This Article uses data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) to focus on the conditions under which associations of paternal incarceration with adolescent delinquency and depression are strongest. Paternal incarceration is most consistently and positively associated with adolescent delinquency. Associations of paternal incarceration with adolescent depression are weaker and more contingent on gender and other moderating factors. One important moderator is the respondent’s retrospective reports that he or she was physically or sexually abused by a parent or other adult caregiver during childhood. For example, in the absence of sexual abuse, paternal incarceration is associated with higher depression among girls. When coupled with reports of sexual abuse, in contrast, paternal incarceration is not associated with girls’ depression, suggesting a potential protective effect. The child having ever coresided with his or her father is also found to moderate associations, with paternal incarceration most strongly associated with delinquency and depression among girls who had ever coresided with their fathers. Examination of the duration and timing of paternal incarceration also pointed to gender differences. © 2015 by Northwestern University School of Law.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1037%2Fadb0000082

Keyword(s)

PARENTAL INCARCERATION

Notes

Export Date: 13 November 2015

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology

Author(s)

Swisher, R. R.
Shaw-Smith, U. R.

Year Published

2015

Volume Number

104

Issue Number

4

Pages

929-959

DOI

10.1037/adb0000082

NIHMSID

NIHMS675068

Reference ID

7207