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. 2021 Jul 9;9(1):16.
doi: 10.1186/s40352-021-00142-w.

Family member incarceration and coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic

Alexander Testa  1 , Chantal Fahmy  2
Affiliations

Family member incarceration and coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic

Alexander Testa et al. Health Justice. .

Abstract

Background: The disproportionately high rate of incarceration and COVID-19 cases during the summer of 2020 in the United States contributed to a set of circumstances that has produced considerable public health concerns as correctional facilities have emerged as significant COVID-19 hot spots. During the COVID-19 pandemic, having a family member incarcerated can be an especially stressful experience. This study assesses how concern about an incarcerated family member contracting COVID-19 impacts diverse coping strategies.

Results: Data are from a survey of individuals who have a family member incarcerated in Texas (N = 365). Ordinary least squares regression is used to examine the association between concern about an incarcerated family member contracting COVID-19 and coping strategies. Findings demonstrate that higher levels of concern for an incarcerated person's wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with dysfunctional coping mechanisms, but not adaptive or functional coping strategies.

Conclusions: Results suggest appropriate systemic responses by correctional administrations and public health practices can help mitigate dysfunctional coping mechanisms by family members during infectious disease outbreaks in correctional facilities.

Keywords: COVID-19; Coping; Health; Incarceration; Family member.

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Conflict of interest statement

Not applicable.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Brief COPE Scale
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Dysfunctional and Functional Coping Stratified by COVID Concern Levels
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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