April 2-4, 2020 • Hyatt Regency • Lexington, KY
Intersectionality and Interdisciplinarity in Health Communication Research
Intersectionality and Interdisciplinarity in Health Communication Research
Abstract: Family Relationships and Health of Incarcerated Mothers: Exploring the Mediating Role of Loneliness
Incarceration has been linked to poor mental and physical well-being for both inmates and their children (Dolan, Birmingham, Mullee, & Gregoire, 2013; Houck & Loper, 2002; Murray & Farrington, 2008). Research has shown that maintaining significant relationships during incarceration, such those with spouses and children, can help manage emotional distress, reduce recidivism (Loper & Tuerk, 2011; Purvis, 2013), and lower perceptions of loneliness (Segrin & Flora, 2001), the latter of which is linked to a multitude of mental and physical health problems (Hawkley & Cacioppo, 2010). The current study utilizes Hawkley and Cacioppo’s (2007) theoretical model of loneliness and health to hypothesize loneliness as the specific mechanism through which incarcerated women’s relationships with their children impact their mental and physical health.
Participants were 121 incarcerated women, ages 22 to 64 (M=38.9) who have at least one child (M=2.6). The majority identified as White or Caucasian (n=60) or Black or African American (n=51). Current prison sentences ranged from six months to life (M=23.2), and the average time served toward their current sentence was 5.7 years. Participants completed the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Russell, 1996); Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Health Survey (Ware & Sherbourne, 1992); Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (Zigmond & Snaith, 1983); Perceptions of the parent-child relationship (four-item measure created by authors), and the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire (Shelton, Frick, & Wooton, 1996). Although communication between the women and their children was moderate, including phone calls (M=9.2, monthly), written communication (M=3.04, monthly) and e-mails (M=3.21, monthly), perceptions of a positive parent-child relationship were high (M=14.9 on a scale of 4-16), as were perceptions of parental involvement (M= 3.9 on a scale of 1-5).
Four mediation models were analyzed to test the hypothesis that perceptions of a positive parent-child relationship would predict lower loneliness, which would in turn predict better overall health and physical functioning, as well as lower depression and anxiety. As predicted, perceptions of a positive parent-child relationship had a significant indirect effect, through loneliness, on overall health (b=15.45, 95% CI [7.29, 24.05]), physical functioning (b=1.58, 95% CI [.622, 2.72]), depression (b=-.379, 95% CI [-.62, -.16]), and anxiety (b= -.49, 95% CI [-.79, -.20]).
Four additional mediation models were analyzed to test the hypothesis that perceptions of parental involvement would predict lower loneliness, which would in turn predict better overall health and physical functioning, as well as lower depression and anxiety for the women. As predicted, perceptions of parental involvement had a significant indirect effect, through loneliness, on overall health (b=14.39, 95% CI [.550, 27.39]), physical functioning (b=1.45, 95% CI [.049, 2.93]), depression (b= -.36, 95% CI [-.716, -.01]), and anxiety (b= -.46, 95% CI [-.92, -.02]).
Results suggest it is worthwhile to invest in efforts to help incarcerated women sustain quality relationships with their children. As the current study shows, incarcerated women who perceive positive and involved relationships with their children have less loneliness, which predicts better mental and physical health. Beyond benefiting the women, such efforts could reduce health care costs to tax payers and reduce recidivism.
Participants were 121 incarcerated women, ages 22 to 64 (M=38.9) who have at least one child (M=2.6). The majority identified as White or Caucasian (n=60) or Black or African American (n=51). Current prison sentences ranged from six months to life (M=23.2), and the average time served toward their current sentence was 5.7 years. Participants completed the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Russell, 1996); Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Health Survey (Ware & Sherbourne, 1992); Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (Zigmond & Snaith, 1983); Perceptions of the parent-child relationship (four-item measure created by authors), and the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire (Shelton, Frick, & Wooton, 1996). Although communication between the women and their children was moderate, including phone calls (M=9.2, monthly), written communication (M=3.04, monthly) and e-mails (M=3.21, monthly), perceptions of a positive parent-child relationship were high (M=14.9 on a scale of 4-16), as were perceptions of parental involvement (M= 3.9 on a scale of 1-5).
Four mediation models were analyzed to test the hypothesis that perceptions of a positive parent-child relationship would predict lower loneliness, which would in turn predict better overall health and physical functioning, as well as lower depression and anxiety. As predicted, perceptions of a positive parent-child relationship had a significant indirect effect, through loneliness, on overall health (b=15.45, 95% CI [7.29, 24.05]), physical functioning (b=1.58, 95% CI [.622, 2.72]), depression (b=-.379, 95% CI [-.62, -.16]), and anxiety (b= -.49, 95% CI [-.79, -.20]).
Four additional mediation models were analyzed to test the hypothesis that perceptions of parental involvement would predict lower loneliness, which would in turn predict better overall health and physical functioning, as well as lower depression and anxiety for the women. As predicted, perceptions of parental involvement had a significant indirect effect, through loneliness, on overall health (b=14.39, 95% CI [.550, 27.39]), physical functioning (b=1.45, 95% CI [.049, 2.93]), depression (b= -.36, 95% CI [-.716, -.01]), and anxiety (b= -.46, 95% CI [-.92, -.02]).
Results suggest it is worthwhile to invest in efforts to help incarcerated women sustain quality relationships with their children. As the current study shows, incarcerated women who perceive positive and involved relationships with their children have less loneliness, which predicts better mental and physical health. Beyond benefiting the women, such efforts could reduce health care costs to tax payers and reduce recidivism.