Medical provider perspectives on children with incarcerated parents: A mixed-methods study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Health
• Social Determinants of Health
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Children with incarcerated parents face unique challenges.
• Healthcare providers' understanding of these challenges is crucial for effective care.
• Limited research exists on healthcare providers' perceptions and actions regarding this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate healthcare providers' perceptions, clinical considerations, and actions concerning children with incarcerated parents.
• To compare provider responses to children with absent parents versus those with incarcerated parents.

Main Methods:

• An experimental vignette study was conducted with 391 healthcare providers.
• Participants were randomized to receive a case vignette describing a child with an absent parent (control) or an incarcerated parent (experimental).
• Surveys assessed clinical approach, comfort, and concerns; qualitative data explored psychosocial context.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were found in provider comfort or general approach between groups.
• Providers in both groups commonly considered emotional-behavioral screening, ADHD, and adjustment disorders.
• Providers in the experimental group showed increased interest in the child's psychosocial context, trauma, relationships, and external perspectives.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare providers' approach to children of incarcerated parents may align with that for any child with an absent parent.
• When informed about parental incarceration, providers demonstrated attention to the child's holistic needs and context.
• Findings suggest a need to integrate social determinants of health training for healthcare providers.