title: A qualitative study of incarcerated mothers' perceptions of the impact of separation on their children.
abstract: Many incarcerated women are mothers, and their children exhibit various responses to the separation that incarceration commands. This exploratory qualitative study examines incarcerated women's perceptions of the consequences of their illegal activity, confinement, and separation from their children on their offspring. The results indicate that although mothers are concerned about their children, they are typically unable to recognize the negative consequences of their actions on their children and their relationship with their children until beginning intensive treatment. Effective treatment must focus on the woman's personal issues along with their parenting abilities and skills to repair these relationships and promote healthy family functioning.
authors.affiliation: Psychology, Mental Health and Human Services Department, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Steubenville, Ohio 43952, USA. jgilham@franciscan.edu
authors.forename: Jerry Jo M
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Gilham
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001010:Anxiety, Separation / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009820:Ohio; D010465:Perception; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D055815:Young Adult