title: Mothering at a Distance: what incarcerated mothers value about a parenting programme.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Children with incarcerated mothers experience adverse health, social and emotional circumstances, and are a particularly vulnerable group. Mothers in custody face significant challenges in parenting their children.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The study aimed to identify participants' views on impact of a parenting support programme for incarcerated mothers in NSW Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  The mixed-methods study examined 134 responses to open and closed questions on a questionnaire for programme participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants found the programme worthwhile, engaging and relevant. It enhanced their parenting knowledge and confidence. Open-ended responses highlighted program elements which participants valued, specifically support for their parenting role in complicated circumstances, greater understanding of child development and perspectives, and practical strategies for facilitating connections with their children during their incarceration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study informs nurses working with women who have experienced incarceration and their children, both in custodial and community settings.
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Health , University of Technology Sydney , Sydney , Australia.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rossiter
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Health , University of Technology Sydney , Sydney , Australia.
authors.forename: Tamara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Power
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Health , University of Technology Sydney , Sydney , Australia.|b Tresillian Family Care Centres , Sydney , NSW , Australia.
authors.forename: Cathrine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fowler
authors.affiliation: c Department of Nursing , Oxford Brookes University , Oxford , UK.|d School of Health , University of New England , Armidale , NSW , Australia.
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.affiliation: e Corrective Services New South Wales , Sydney , NSW , Australia.
authors.forename: Deirdre
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hyslop
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Health , University of Technology Sydney , Sydney , Australia.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dawson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009034:Mother-Child Relations / Q000523:psychology*; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology*; D009517:New South Wales; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D011329:Prisoners / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012649:Self Concept; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: children; incarcerated mothers; mothering; parenting education; parenting support