Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Jennifer Rounds-Bryrant

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore formerly incarcerated African American fathers’ perceptions on reestablishing relationships with their children. Prior to this study, little or no research had been conducted to examine how formerly incarcerated parents build relationships with their children. Data were collected through one-to-one, semi-structured interviews with 11 African American fathers 18 years and older who were formerly incarcerated and had one or more children under the age of 18 years while incarcerated. The theoretical frameworks for this study included Attachment Theory and African American Male Theory. These data were analyzed using the thematic analysis procedure. Most participants reported that they could not fulfill the obligation of providing for their children financially because of external barriers, such as having a criminal record, or perceived internal barriers, such as an inability to retain a job. However, for all participants, having a positive relationship with their children meant a purposeful, sustained effort to meet the obligations they attributed to fatherhood. Consistently, participants attributed their positive experiences of fatherhood after their release from incarceration to their taking the initiative in recognizing and negotiating barriers to strong father–child relationships. Although formerly incarcerated African American fathers may report typical father roles, such as provider, protector, and role model, they report not always being able to live up to these roles, as shown in this study and others. Because of such findings, future researchers should continue to study this subject as it holds far-reaching consequences for society. This issue is relevant to positive social change because many African American fathers experience incarceration-related adverse relationship outcomes.

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