Temporary Single Parenthood--The Case of Prisoners' Families

Abstract

The plight of prisoners' children was investigated. The study delineates the adjustment problems children experienced as a result of their separation from the father, and identifies the predicting variables affecting successful adjustment to father's incarceration. The study was undertaken within the wider context of family system functioning and family relations. Data were collected through structured personal interviews with 118 Jewish prisoners' wives-mothers whose husbands were first-timers serving terms of 13 months to life imprisonment. The interview schedule was based on the predictor variables of family background, family systems functioning as measured by the Family Resource Inventory and Coping with Separation Inventory. The criterion variable was measured with the Children's Adjustment Inventory. Findings indicated predicaments in three areas: interactional, emotional, and health and behavioral. Through the use of discriminant analysis two clusters of predictor variables emerged. Ability of the children to adjust successfully to father's imprisonment was related to familial and personal resources of the mother and to the stigmatizing effects of the criminal event. Clinical intervention strategies are recommended.