Father–Child Contact During Prison and Its Association With Fathers’ Parenting Self-Efficacy

This study examines the association between three forms of father–child contact during incarceration and fathers’ reports of parental self-efficacy. The study’s sample derives from (n = 1,720) fathers participating in the Multisite Family Study on Incarceration, Partnering, and Parenting (MFS-IP) st...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inFamilies in society Vol. 106; no. 1; pp. 195 - 212
Main Authors McLeod, Branden A., Charles, Pajarita, Gottlieb, Aaron, Muentner, Luke
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.03.2025
Sage Publications Ltd
Subjects
Children
Families & family life
Fathers
Imprisonment
Parents & parenting
Prisoners
Self-efficacy
subjects of practice
fathers
children
development across the lifespan
prisons
contact
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Summary:This study examines the association between three forms of father–child contact during incarceration and fathers’ reports of parental self-efficacy. The study’s sample derives from (n = 1,720) fathers participating in the Multisite Family Study on Incarceration, Partnering, and Parenting (MFS-IP) study. Multivariate ordinary least squares regression models were conducted to examine the study’s hypotheses. Among the contact types, visits had a positive and significant effect on fathers’ views of their parental efficacy after controlling demographic, familial, and carceral characteristics. This study informs practice and policy, demonstrating that contact is essential to family-strengthening services and beneficial for incarcerated fathers and families. Importantly, efforts should be made to make it easier for fathers to have contact with their children.
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ISSN:1044-3894
1945-1350
DOI:10.1177/10443894231220411