The Relationship Between Incarcerated Fathers and Their Children: Perceptions of Fatherhood Attitudes and Parenting Skills

Parental incarceration affects the whole family system, especially impacting incarcerated fathers who sustain damaged relationships with their children after release. Roughly 2.7 million children a year in the United States suffer from the traumatic imprisonment of their father. Our research explores the fathers’ perceptions of their relationship with their child by using the Multi-site Family Study on Incarceration, Parenting, and Partnering data. We examined multiple areas of the relationship, including the impact of incarceration on families and the perceptions of the father–child relationship once the father is released. Analyses revealed that incarcerated fathers who felt they exhibited good parental qualities and held favorable attitudes about fatherhood were associated with a better relationship with their child upon release. Additionally, the father exhibiting good parental qualities was associated with a stark reduction in the number of total child challenges they expect after release. Clinical implications and future directions are provided.