Recent Exposure To Maternal Incarceration and Experience of Interpersonal Violence Victimization among Adolescents: A Nationally Representative Study
摘要
Maternal incarceration is a well-recognized adverse childhood experience, especially among those from minoritized and socially disadvantaged neighborhoods. Although research has documented the link between maternal incarceration and elevated interpersonal violence perpetration among adolescents, its association with their experience of interpersonal violence victimization by caregivers, peers, and intimate partners remains underinvestigated. This study used the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study dataset to identify differences between adolescents with and without recent maternal incarceration regarding their experience of harsh parenting, peer bullying, and adolescent partner violence. It also examined the association between maternal incarceration and these experiences.
MethodsThe final study sample consisted of 2,352 adolescents participating in Wave 6 whose primary caregiver was either their biological mother or father. T-tests and chi-square tests were employed to compare adolescents with and without recent maternal incarceration experiences regarding exposure to harsh parenting, peer bullying, and adolescent partner violence. Logistic and linear regressions were used to determine the association between maternal incarceration and interpersonal violence victimization among adolescents.
ResultsBivariate analyses revealed moderate evidence that a higher proportion of adolescents with recent maternal incarceration experienced harsh parenting compared to those without such experiences. Regression analyses provided weak evidence that recent maternal incarceration increased adolescents’ odds of experiencing harsh parenting but not peer bullying or adolescent partner violence.
ConclusionsFindings suggest the potential importance of considering stress and stigma related to maternal incarceration in risk assessment and prevention development for interpersonal violence victimization among adolescents, particularly harsh parenting practices. Future research using qualitative or mixed methods that unveil interpersonal violence victimization experiences after maternal incarceration and related risk and protective factors is warranted.