Date of Conferral

8-14-2025

Degree

Doctor of Human Services (D.H.S.)

School

Human Services

Advisor

Sarah Matthey

Abstract

Children of incarcerated parents have been an increasing area of scholarly focus, especially considering that the United States holds one of the highest rates of incarceration in the world. The purpose of this qualitative basic study was to explore the perceptions of adolescents, ages 18-21, whose parents are incarcerated in prison, and their use of self-distraction from parental incarceration as a positive coping mechanism. The study was grounded in Hill’s family stress theory. Purposive and snowball sample strategies were employed in this study to obtain participants from a private Facebook group. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 12 participants who met the study inclusion criteria. Thematic analysis revealed nine primary themes: (a) children of incarcerated parents experiencing emotional turmoil and misunderstood pain, (b) children of incarcerated parents utilizing family members for support, (c) children of incarcerated parents utilizing social connections for support, (d) children of incarcerated parents using creative and structured activities, (e) children of incarcerated parents missing parent-child connection, (f) children of incarcerated parents using spirituality as a source of comfort and resilience, (g) children of incarcerated parents utilized professional supports as a central coping resource, (h) children of incarcerated parents find strength and growth, and (i) children of incarcerated parents perceived coping mechanism as helpful. The findings may contribute to positive social change by informing educators, mental health professionals, and community organizations about coping strategies, thereby promoting strength-based interventions for youth affected by parental incarceration.

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