Date of Award
5-2016
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Legacy Department
International Family and Community Studies
Committee Member
Dr. Susan P. Limber, Committee Chair
Committee Member
Dr. James R. McDonell
Committee Member
Dr. Martie Thompson
Committee Member
Robin Kimbrough-Melton, JD
Committee Member
Dr. Patricia Motes
Abstract
This study examined the relationships among frequency of contact and visitation, the parent-child relationship, children's perspectives of contact and visitation, and social, emotional, and behavioral problems. Participants were 40 children of incarcerated parents, ages 9-18, and their caregivers. A series of multivariate regression analyses revealed that more frequent visitation was related to fewer child internalizing problems, and more frequent contact and visitation were related to stronger perceptions of trust and communication in the parent-child relationship. Additionally, fewer feelings of alienation in the parent-child relationship were associated with fewer internalizing and externalizing problems. Lastly, children's perspectives of contact and visitation were important predictors of frequency of contact and visitation and social, emotional, and behavioral problems. Although the small, convenience sample limits the reliability, validity, and generalizability of the findings, this study was innovative in its examination of a possible mediating role of the parent-child relationship in the relation between frequency of contact and visitation and social, emotional, and behavioral problems, and in measuring children's perspectives of contact and visitation. Practical implications and future research are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Hedge, Jasmine Michelle, "Children of Incarcerated Parents: The Relation of Contact and Visitation to the Parent-Child Relationship and Internalizing and Externalizing Problems" (2016). All Dissertations. 1676.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_dissertations/1676