Home⇛Psychology and Education: A Multidisciplinary Journal⇛vol. 50 no. 1 (2025)

Stories from the Margins: A Case Study on the Emotional and Social Impact of Parental Incarceration in the Philippines

Daphnie Crospe

Discipline: others in psychology

 

Abstract:

This holistic single-case study examined the lived experiences, coping strategies, challenges, and perceived impacts of parental incarceration among young adults in Midsayap, Cotabato—a community characterized by high incarceration rates and limited institutional support. Guided by Yin’s case study framework and employing a descriptive-qualitative design, three purposively selected participants aged 23 to 25, each a child of an incarcerated parent, were interviewed using an open-ended guide. Thematic analysis through template coding revealed that before incarceration, participants experienced family instability, financial hardship, and inconsistent caregiving. During incarceration, they faced stigma, disrupted education, economic strain, and premature assumption of adult responsibilities. Support was primarily obtained from relatives, peers, and faith-based networks, with minimal assistance from institutional or school-based sources. Coping mechanisms such as spirituality, peer reliance, cognitive reframing, and engagement in livelihood tasks fostered resilience, yet emotional distress and psychosocial strain persisted. Despite these challenges, participants demonstrated post-traumatic growth, maturity, and strengthened familial bonds. The study concludes that individuals with incarcerated parents experience intersecting vulnerabilities requiring systemic responses beyond familial coping. It recommends trauma-informed educational programs, accessible psychosocial and livelihood services, and community-based initiatives to reduce stigma and enhance resilience, underscoring the need for policies that safeguard the well-being of those affected by incarceration and address intergenerational disadvantage.



References:

  1. Agnir, J., Cruz, A., & Alampay, L. P. (2024). Children left behind: The psychosocial effects of parental incarceration in the Philippines. Philippine Journal of Social Development, 12(1), 45–62.
  2. Alampay, L. P., & Jocson, R. M. (2020). Positive parenting, family resilience, and child development in low- and middle-income countries. Applied Developmental Science, 24(1), 7–18.
  3. Arditti, J. A. (2012). Parental incarceration and the family: Psychological and social effects of imprisonment on children, parents, and caregivers. New York University Press.
  4. Arrondelle, V., Chui, Y., & Ramos, C. (2023). The educational impact of parental incarceration: Evidence from Asian contexts. Asian Journal of Criminology, 18(3), 233–250.
  5. Banez, C., & Santos, M. (2023). Hope and resilience among Filipino adolescents with incarcerated parents. Journal of Adolescent Research, 38(5), 601–620.
  6. Barkan, S. E. (2017). Criminology: A sociological understanding (7th ed.). Pearson.
  7. Beresford, S., Loucks, N., & Raikes, B. (2020). Children of prisoners: Hidden victims of the justice system. Criminal Justice Matters, 124(1), 14–16.
  8. Bowen Center for the Study of the Family. (n.d.). Bowen theory. Retrieved from https://www.thebowencenter.org
  9. Bowen, M. (1978). Family therapy in clinical practice. Jason Aronson.
  10. Bradshaw, C., Creaven, A., & Muldoon, O. (2021). Resilience processes in children of prisoners: A systematic review. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 22(1), 3–17.
  11. Braman, D. (2002). Families and incarceration. Center for Urban Research and Policy.
  12. Brunzell, T., Waters, L., & Stokes, H. (2019). Teaching with strengths in trauma-affected students: A new approach to healing and growth in schools. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 89(2), 181–193.
  13. Choi, J. K., Wang, D., & Jackson, A. P. (2021). Adverse childhood experiences and parent–child relationships among children of incarcerated parents. Children and Youth Services Review, 131, 106279.
  14. Christian, J. (2019). Visitation, family contact, and well-being among incarcerated fathers. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 58(7), 590–610.
  15. Clarke, R. (n.d.). Global prison trends in Asia: The case of the Philippines. Penal Reform International.
  16. Cohen, S., & Wills, T. A. (2021). Stress, social support, and the buffering hypothesis revisited. Psychological Bulletin, 147(6), 447–463.
  17. Cruz, A. T., & Alampay, L. P. (2021). Parentification among Filipino youth: The cost of premature adult roles. Philippine Journal of Psychology, 54(2), 145–165.
  18. Dagadas, M. (2019). Stigma and resilience among Filipino youth with incarcerated parents. Philippine Sociological Review, 67(1), 89–104.
  19. De Leon, C., & Ragragio, J. (2023). Adaptive role changes in Filipino families affected by incarceration. Journal of Family Studies, 29(2), 145–162.
  20. Doyle, C., & Cicchetti, D. (2017). From trauma to adaptation: Psychological pathways in children of incarcerated parents. Development and Psychopathology, 29(3), 1127–1142.
  21. Evangelista, R., & Torregoza, J. (2023). Spiritual resilience in Filipino adolescents: Faith as a coping mechanism. Philippine Journal of Psychology, 56(1), 33–52.
  22. Goldenberg, I., & Goldenberg, H. (2013). Family therapy: An overview (8th ed.). Cengage Learning.
  23. Halton, L., & Townhead, L. (2020). Children of imprisoned parents: A European survey and recommendations. Children of Prisoners Europe.
  24. Heard-Garris, N., Winkelman, T., Choi, H., & Heisler, M. (2019). Health impacts of parental incarceration on children: A systematic review. Pediatrics, 142(3), e20180500.
  25. Klinnert, M., Snyder, C., & Wolf, T. (2018). Financial instability and role reversal among youth in vulnerable families. Journal of Family Psychology, 32(4), 559–570.
  26. Liu, Y., Chen, R., & Santos, M. (2025). The psychological impacts of parental incarceration: Evidence from Asia. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 34(2), 200–219.
  27. Luna, C., & Tolentino, F. (2022). Beyond charity: Rethinking systemic support for Filipino families in crisis. Philippine Journal of Social Work, 58(1), 77–95.
  28. Mancini, A. D., & Bonanno, G. A. (2020). Resilience in the face of potential trauma: Clinical practices and perspectives. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 76(7), 1232–1247.
  29. Martin, J. (2017). Hidden victims: The impact of parental imprisonment on children. Journal of Criminal Justice, 49(2), 89–98.
  30. Masten, A. S. (2021). Resilience of children in the context of adversity and trauma. Development and Psychopathology, 33(2), 494–506.
  31. Muentner, L., Poehlmann-Tynan, J., & Turney, K. (2024). Long-term consequences of parental incarceration for youth well-being. Journal of Marriage and Family, 86(1), 44–62.
  32. Neff, K. D., Knox, M., & Radley, M. (2020). Peer support and resilience in children with incarcerated parents. Child Development, 91(3), 920–935.
  33. Nichols, M. (2020). Family therapy: Concepts and methods (12th ed.). Pearson.
  34. Pargament, K. I., Mahoney, A., & Exline, J. (2020). Spiritually integrated psychotherapy: Understanding and addressing the sacred. Guilford Press.
  35. Poehlmann-Tynan, J., & Turney, K. (2020). Parenting behind bars: Barriers and opportunities for maintaining parent–child relationships during incarceration. Annual Review of Criminology, 3, 219–240.
  36. Ramos, J., & De Jesus, R. (2024). Parentification and resilience among Filipino adolescents. Asian Journal of Family Studies, 12(1), 99–117.
  37. Rappai, R. (2013). Cognitive and emotional struggles of Filipino adolescents with incarcerated parents. Philippine Journal of Psychology, 46(2), 55–70.
  38. Reyes, R., & Lim, A. (2024). Surviving systemic neglect: Kinship care and resilience among Filipino children. Philippine Journal of Social Development, 13(1), 89–107.
  39. Rosario, M., & Dimaculangan, L. (2024). Stigma within families of incarcerated individuals: A Philippine perspective. Philippine Journal of Criminology, 10(2), 134–152.
  40. Saunders, C. (2023). Family systems in crisis: The ecological impact of parental incarceration. Journal of Family Theory & Review, 15(2), 178–196.
  41. Shaw, C. (2022). Financial instability in families of incarcerated individuals. Journal of Poverty and Social Justice, 30(2), 177–193.
  42. Shlafer, R. J., & Poehlmann, J. (2020). Children with incarcerated parents: Developmental and clinical considerations. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 61(10), 1103–1115.
  43. Slack, K. S., & Berger, L. (2022). Informal kinship care under economic pressure. Children and Youth Services Review, 137, 106489.
  44. Tan, J. (2019). Children of prisoners: Stigma, dignity, and the call for support. Philippine Journal of Social Work, 55(2), 77–95.
  45. Tedeschi, R. G., & Calhoun, L. G. (2020). Post-traumatic growth: Theory, research, and practice. Routledge.
  46. Travis, J. (2009). But they all come back: Facing the challenges of prisoner reentry. Urban Institute Press.
  47. Turney, K. (2018). Adverse childhood experiences among children of incarcerated parents. Child Development, 89(4), 1472–1490.
  48. Ungar, M. (2021). Multisystemic resilience: Adaptation and transformation in contexts of change. Oxford University Press.
  49. WHO. (2018). Mental health promotion and mental health care in schools. World Health Organization.
  50. Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.
  51. Yuda, T., & Hiwatari, S. (2023). Peer support as resilience among Asian adolescents with parental incarceration. Asian Social Work and Policy Review, 17(1), 55–70.
  52. Zhao, L., Wang, H., & Kim, S. (2021). Cognitive reframing and resilience among children with incarcerated parents. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 30(5), 1298–1312.

 


Tools


Copyright © 2026  KITE Digital Educational Solutions |  Exclusively distributed by CE-Logic