TY - JOUR
T1 - Multisite randomized efficacy trial of educational materials for young children with incarcerated parents
AU - Poehlmann-Tynan, Julie
AU - Cuthrell, Hilary
AU - Weymouth, Lindsay
AU - Burnson, Cynthia
AU - Frerks, Lexi
AU - Muentner, Luke
AU - Holder, Nicole
AU - Milavetz, Zoe
AU - Lauter, Lauren
AU - Hindt, Lauren
AU - Davis, Laurel
AU - Schubert, Erin
AU - Shlafer, Rebecca
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2020.
PY - 2021/2
Y1 - 2021/2
N2 - Although children with incarcerated parents exhibit more behavior problems, health concerns, and academic difficulties than their peers, few interventions or resources are available to support affected children. This randomized, controlled, multisite efficacy trial evaluated Sesame Street's "Little Children, Big Challenges: Incarceration"initiative with children aged 3 to 8 years with a jailed father. Seventy-one diverse children and their caregivers were randomized to an educational outreach group (n = 32) or wait list control group (n = 39). Researchers observed children during jail visits and interviewed caregivers by phone 2 and 4 weeks later. The effects of the intervention on children's behavior and emotions occurring during a jail visit depended on what children had been told about the father's incarceration. Children who were told honest, developmentally appropriate explanations showed less negative affect at entry, an increase in negative affect when the intervention was administered, and a decrease in negative affect during the visit. Intervention group children who were told distortions, nothing, or explanations that were not developmentally appropriate showed more negative affect initially, and their negative affect remained relatively stable during their time in the jail. In addition, children who were told the simple, honest truth about the parent's incarceration (a recommendation in the educational materials) exhibited more positive affect during the visit, with a medium effect size. Caregivers in the educational outreach group reported more positive change in how they talked to children about the incarceration over time compared to the control group.
AB - Although children with incarcerated parents exhibit more behavior problems, health concerns, and academic difficulties than their peers, few interventions or resources are available to support affected children. This randomized, controlled, multisite efficacy trial evaluated Sesame Street's "Little Children, Big Challenges: Incarceration"initiative with children aged 3 to 8 years with a jailed father. Seventy-one diverse children and their caregivers were randomized to an educational outreach group (n = 32) or wait list control group (n = 39). Researchers observed children during jail visits and interviewed caregivers by phone 2 and 4 weeks later. The effects of the intervention on children's behavior and emotions occurring during a jail visit depended on what children had been told about the father's incarceration. Children who were told honest, developmentally appropriate explanations showed less negative affect at entry, an increase in negative affect when the intervention was administered, and a decrease in negative affect during the visit. Intervention group children who were told distortions, nothing, or explanations that were not developmentally appropriate showed more negative affect initially, and their negative affect remained relatively stable during their time in the jail. In addition, children who were told the simple, honest truth about the parent's incarceration (a recommendation in the educational materials) exhibited more positive affect during the visit, with a medium effect size. Caregivers in the educational outreach group reported more positive change in how they talked to children about the incarceration over time compared to the control group.
KW - child
KW - educational materials
KW - jail visit
KW - parental incarceration
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85101348617&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85101348617&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1017/S0954579419001792
DO - 10.1017/S0954579419001792
M3 - Article
C2 - 33616033
AN - SCOPUS:85101348617
SN - 0954-5794
VL - 33
SP - 323
EP - 339
JO - Development and psychopathology
JF - Development and psychopathology
IS - 1
ER -