Child disipline in a sample of previously incarcerated mothers who participated in a co-residential prison nursery program: A mixed methods study.

摘要

Background: The majority of incarcerated mothers are separated from their infants at birth, while few have the opportunity to participate in a co-residential prison nursery program with their infants. Besides the longitudinal parent study, there is no previous research on child discipline practices of mothers who participated in a co-residential prison nursery.;Objectives: This study sought to explore how maternal attachment status, maternal history of abuse, parenting stress, and maternal depression impact discipline practices of incarcerated mothers with history of participation in a co-residential prison nursery program.;Design and Methods: This study was a cross-sectional mixed-methods secondary analysis of a convenience sample (N=37 mothers) from a larger study (N=98 mothers). Thirty-seven mothers and their infants in a northeastern US women's prison who participated in a co-residential prison nursery with their infants were included in the secondary analysis.;Findings: All mothers reported use of NonViolent Discipline; 97.3% reported Psychological Aggression; 75.7% reported Minor Physical Assau 5.4% reported Severe Physical Assault with their children. Psychological Aggression was associated with higher parenting stress and maternal depressive symptomatobgy; use of Minor Physical Assault was associated with higher maternal depressive symptomatology. Qualitative results showed that many mothers have a strong understanding of the cycle of incarceration, violence, and family instability; mothers have high aspirations for their children despite their own upbringings.;Conclusions: The study adds to the literature on at-risk mothers with history of participation in a co-residential prison nursery with their children. Future research directions include looking more closely at Minor Physical Assault and potential escalation into harsher practices. The children's voices must also be included as they grow older. Advocacy for these at-risk families must include non- incarcerative community settings and additional prison nursery beds.