Influences of paternal incarceration on children's maltreatment and polyvictimization risks

Paternal incarceration is associated with child maltreatment. However, clarity on its influence across types is needed. Additionally, maltreatment exposures may co-occur and how paternal incarceration influences children's polyvictimization is not yet known.

To investigate the influences of paternal incarceration on childhood emotional, physical, and sexual maltreatment by caregivers, as well as their exposure to multiple forms.

Adolescents in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health were followed from Wave I (1994-5) (average age 15) into early adulthood at Wave 4 (2008-9) (ages 24-32) (n = 12,832).

Using respondent's age of their first maltreatment exposure and their age at first paternal incarceration, their experiences of childhood emotional, physical, and sexual maltreatment by caregivers were regressed on prior paternal incarceration and control variables. Respondent's childhood maltreatment polyvictimization was similarly analyzed.

A robust association was found between paternal incarceration and respondent's risk of physical maltreatment (OR = 1.84, p < .001). Additionally, paternal incarceration increased repeated emotional maltreatment among girls (OR = 1.49, p < .001) but not among boys. Furthermore, paternal incarceration elevated respondent's exposure to two or more types of maltreatment (OR = 1.80, p < .001).

Paternal incarceration is associated with children's risks of physical and emotional childhood maltreatment by caregivers, as well as their polyvictimization risks. Therefore, children in these circumstances are vulnerable to maltreatment, a finding of import to practitioners and policymakers.