304008
Parental Monitoring Impacts Arrest and Incarceration History in a Population of Young, African-American Males in New Orleans
Young black men (YBM) are incarcerated at rates six times higher than non-Hispanic whites. Incarceration negatively impacts future outcomes. Nearly 2/3 of formerly incarcerated individuals return to prison and incarcerated youth are 20-30% less likely to be employed post-release. Prior incarceration is associated with negative health outcomes, specifically increased risk for STI/HIV infection and substance abuse. We examined the association between varying levels of parental monitoring and history of arrest and incarceration in a cohort of YBM.
Methods:
YBM ages 15-23 were recruited from STI clinics in New Orleans for a NIH-funded randomized controlled trial of a safer sex intervention. An audio-administered baseline survey assessed participants’ living situation. Those who indicated “Living at home with a parent/guardian” then completed a 9-item ‘Parental Monitoring (PM) Scale’ to assess the level of involvement of the primary caretaker. Higher scores represented greater levels of PM. Incarceration/arrest history was assessed by asking participants if they had ever been arrested and/or incarcerated, and these items were coded as ‘ever vs. never’.
Results:
Of YBM surveyed, 324 (56.5%) indicated their primary residence was ‘Living at home with a parent/guardian’. Of these, the mean PM score was 29.3 (SD 7.0) and ranged from 10 – 45. The mean PM scores for those reporting they had ever been arrested compared to those with no arrest history were 28.5 and 30.1, respectively (P = 0.04). The mean PM score for those reporting history of incarceration was 28.2 versus 30.6 for those YBM without history of incarceration (P = 0.032)
Conclusions:
Higher levels of parental monitoring for YBM are associated with decreased likelihood of past incarceration or arrest. Additional prospective studies examining this relationship are needed. In planning future public health interventions, consideration should be given to programs that address the primary parent/guardian of at-risk youth.
Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programsPlanning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Program planning
Public health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Identify differences in levels of reported parental monitoring for young men with a history of incarceration vs. those without a history of incarceration
Evaluate the role of parental monitoring on arrest and incarceration in a cohort of young, African American males
Keyword(s): Family Involvement, Youth
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the Program Manager/Research Coordinator for two multi-site federally funded randomized control trials of evidence-based sexual health curricula. I have extensive research experience working with undeserved at risk youth populations in the southern United States, particularly the city of New Orleans.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.