Dr. Ashleigh LoVette, Department of Health Behavior and Health Promotion
Dr. Bridget Freisthler, College of Social Work
SUMMARY
In the United States, mass incarceration is a harmful social determinant of health and a driver of poor sexual and behavioral health outcomes for the person incarcerated as well as their families and communities. With the US having one of the highest incarceration rates the world, parental incarceration is a common experience for many US children, especially those with historically marginalized identities. Overall, one in 12 children in US have experienced parental incarceration placing a sizeable portion of the population at risk for poor sexual and behavioral health outcomes. Research indicates having an incarcerated parent can increase some health risks for children, especially during transitions to adulthood. These added health risks include increased risk for STI infections and substance use disorders, which can be exacerbated by other harmful social conditions. This creates a significant need and highlights a current gap for programs addressing these interconnected health and social issues. To effectively address these issues, we need culturally responsive programs and policies that consider how mass incarceration and its sequalae shape sexual and behavioral health outcomes of youth affected by parental incarceration.
Research also suggests the stigma of having an incarcerated parent may contribute to these health disparities among children affected by parental incarceration. Both substance use and incarceration are two interconnected social issues that are stigmatized across generations. The proposed work provides an opportunity to explore the emerging concept of intergenerational stigma and how it shapes the health trajectories of young people affected by parental incarceration. The goal of this community-engaged research project is to identify key barriers and facilitators to sexual and behavioral health among young people affected by parental incarceration. To achieve this goal, we will conduct in-depth interviews with individuals with lived experiences related to parental incarceration (N=45) (Aim 1), complete concept mapping with youth affected by parental incarceration (N=15) (Aim 2) and establish a Community Advisory Board focused on collaboration around issues related to familial incarceration (Aim 3). To address the synergistic health effects of mass incarceration and account for social and structural inequities, the proposed work will be guided by syndemic theory and the framework of intersectionality. Project findings will address a critical gap in public health programming and provide the formative work for an NIH grant application to adapt and assess initial feasibility of a culturally responsive intervention to reduce sexual risk and prevent substance misuse among young people affected by parental incarceration.