Physical and Psychosocial Impacts of Parental Incarceration on Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review Differentiating Age of Exposure

Abstract

The externalizing and internalizing behavioral impacts of parental incarceration on their children has been widely examined. However, understanding the breadth and depth of possible negative impacts on children at different developmental stages, and whether protective factors can be identified to offset such impacts, has been limited. This review systematically reviewed 57 articles and extended the developmental outcome to six key impact themes, with some articles identifying more themes than others: behavioral (n = 34), mental health (n = 26), social relationships (n = 17), academic performance (n = 17), substance use (n = 10), and short-term and long-term physical health (n = 6). To provid..