Motherhood in Alternative Detention Conditions: A Preliminary Case-Control Study

Carlo Lai, Linda Elisabetta Rossi, Federica Scicchitano, Chiara Ciacchella, Mariarita Valentini, Giovanna Longo and Emanuele Caroppo
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Carlo Lai: Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
Linda Elisabetta Rossi: Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
Federica Scicchitano: Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
Chiara Ciacchella: Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
Mariarita Valentini: Research Center Health Human Care and Social Intercultural Assessment-He.R.A, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
Giovanna Longo: Associazione A Roma, Insieme Leda Colombini, 00186 Rome, Italy
Emanuele Caroppo: Department of Mental Health, Local Health Unit Roma 2, 00159 Rome, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 10, 1-9

Abstract: Many women in detention are mothers and often the sole caregivers of their children. Italy, as most European countries, allows mothers to keep their children with them in detention, with the aim of preserving the fundamental bond between mother and child. Since prison does not seem to provide a good environment for the child’s growth, there are different alternative residential solutions, such as Group Homes. The aim of this preliminary study was to explore the differences between mothers living in detention through alternative measures with their children and mothers who are not detained regarding parenting stress, child behavior from the parent’s perspective, and maternal attachment. Twelve mothers were enrolled in this study, divided equally between the detained and the control groups. Both groups’ participants completed a three-questionnaire battery in order to assess parenting stress, child’s behavior, and maternal attachment. The analyses of variance showed significant differences between the two groups, with the detained group reporting higher scores than the control group in almost all the subscales of parenting stress. The results highlighted that imprisoned mothers might experience more stress than the general population. There is a need to design intervention programs to support parenting in detention.

Keywords: imprisoned mothers with children; alternative detention conditions; Group Homes; parenting stress; child behavior; maternal attachment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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