Letters to Children: Findings of a Program to Enhance Communication of Incarcerated Mothers and Their Children. Issue 4 (2nd October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stauss, Kimberly; Sparks, Leigh; Thomas, Johanna; Grant, Kaitlin
• Is Part Of: Corrections. Volume 3:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 225
• Page End: 247
• Publication Date: 2018-10-02
• Subjects: Incarcerated mothers -- letter writing -- programming -- children -- parent–child bond; Punishment -- United States -- Periodicals; Criminal justice, Administration of -- United States -- Periodicals; 364.60973
• DOI: 10.1080/23774657.2017.1381054
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2377-4657

Abstract

ABSTRACT: There is a scarcity of studies exploring treatment modalities specifically designed for the incarcerated mother. This paper presents findings from a program designed to help incarcerated mothers develop their ability to communicate and subsequently bond with their children by engaging in group discussions during a letter-writing process. Using mixed research methods from 16 incarcerated mothers, the participants reported (1) gaining insight into personal emotions and strengths around parenting, (2) strengthening of positive parenting strategies, (3) increasing ability to empathize with their children, and (4) increasing tools to enhance communication. The quantitative data showed significant improvement in the areas of seeing themselves as better parents and decreasing anxiety around parenting issues. The participants gave feedback for models developed for incarcerated mothers.