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Abstract:
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This study investigates the effects of parental incarceration on children and youth . The main objectives of this study are to validate previous research on delinquency and criminality , and poor school performance of youth whose parents have been under correctional supervision (jail or /and probation ) . In addition , this study aims to examine the prevalence of drug and alcohol use in this population .
This study utilizes the data set from the Children at Risk Program . This program was a drug and delinquency prevention program that was implemented in 1992 to 1996 . The electronic data set was obtained from the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data .
Findings from this study reveal no differences between delinquency and criminality , poor school performance , and alcohol and drug use among youth whose caregiver had been on probation during the past 12 months or in jail during the past 12 months . However , findings revealed that youth at Time 2 whose caregiver had been on probation during the past two years or in jail once , twice , or several times in the past two years shows a higher frequency of delinquency and criminality , poor school performance , and alcohol and drug use than their counterparts whose caregiver had not been under correctional supervision .
The conclusions in this study support the literature that identifies delinquency and criminality , poor school performance , and alcohol and drug use among youth with parents under correctional supervision . Although very little differences were found in youth whose caregiver had been under correctional supervision during the past 12 months , this study does show that parental criminality may have an effect on youth . Therefore , caregivers , educators , counselors , and community advocates need to be educated on this negative effect on youth and steps taken to support children and youth during this stressful time . |