Children of Incarcerated Parents: The Forgotten Victims

Purpose Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are traumatic experiences during childhood, such as abuse and neglect or household dysfunction, including parental substance abuse, domestic violence, incarceration, or mental illness. ACEs are known to negatively impact the health and well-being of children into adulthood. Parental incarceration is considered an ACE and puts the child at risk for social, emotional and psychological challenges, including but not limited to, acute and chronic psychological stress, parental separation, changes in living arrangements, exposure to domestic violence, traumatic removal of the parent, financial difficulties, and social …