We are all Sentenced: The Lived Experience of Mothers With an Adult Incarcerated Daughter

Abstract

The vast majority of research on the impact of familial incarceration focuses on its effect on children, even though one in eight adults in the United States has had a child in prison. While some studies have examined the lived experiences of mothers with an incarcerated adult son, no research has explored the effect of an adult daughter’s incarceration on their mother. Using in-depth interviews with four mothers who have adult daughters in prison, this study finds that these mothers were significantly affected by their daughter’s incarceration. They experience painful emotions, face significant barriers and challenges, and highlight the pressing need for mental health services. Along with other prior works, our findings can be used to inform policy and clinical recommendations for those working with and advocating for incarcerated populations and their impacted loved ones.