Exposure to parental incarceration and C-reactive protein levels among U.S. adults

Citation

Boch, Samantha J. & Ford, Jodi L. (2014). Exposure to parental incarceration and C-reactive protein levels among U.S. adults. Annual Meeting of the American Society for Criminology. San Francisco, CA.

Abstract

Background: Research has linked childhood adversity to low-grade inflammation via C-reactive protein levels (CRP) across the life course. We analyzed the association between low-grade inflammation and prior biological parental incarceration, an ever-growing childhood adversity. Methods: National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (1994-2008) data were analyzed using multinomial-logistic regression models. Measures included high sensitivity CRP (<3 mg/L, 3–10mg/L, and >10 mg/L) and mother or father incarceration occurring in the child’s lifetime (<18 or >18 years vs. never), and frequency of incarceration. Analyses were stratified by child’s gender. Sample sizes for maternal analyses were: male N=5396; female N=6447 and for paternal analyses: male N=4956; female N=5860. Results: Females whose father was ever incarcerated had a greater odds of having a CRP level between 3–10mg/L versus <3 mg/L than females whose father was never incarcerated (AOR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.08-1.91). Additionally, daughter’s age of father incarceration (<18 years) (AOR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.10-1.97) and frequency of father incarceration were significant (AOR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.03-1.49). No significant associations were found among the male sample. Conclusion: History of father incarceration was associated with low-grade inflammation among female adults. Future investigations are needed on the physiological effects of children exposed to parental incarceration.

Reference Type

Conference proceeding

Book Title

Annual Meeting of the American Society for Criminology

Author(s)

Boch, Samantha J.
Ford, Jodi L.

Year Published

2014

City of Publication

San Francisco, CA

Reference ID

7650