Exploratory study on the experience of adolescent children of incarcerated parents

This study explored the stress experience of 10 Filipino adolescent children of the incarcerated parents. The Children are aged 12-18 who were five female and five male. Employing the qualitative research design of case study, the data were collected using in-depth interview and was analyzed using thematic content analysis across the cases. This study focused on the experience of the adolescent children with incarcerated parents focused on exploring the difficult experiences, stress mediators, coping strategies and manifestations of the difficult experiences (both internal and external behaviors). Findings reported that the Filipino adolescent children are experiencing personal, familial and social stressors. They experience disruption in quality of interpersonal relationship and they have difficulty in the area of education. Absence of the parents from the family creates financial crisis, instability of basic needs and broken family environment. Social stigma as children of the prisoners also made negative impact on the experience of the children. The study shows that the respondents were mainly supported by the family and relatives and not by any other social support group. But the Filipino adolescent children are coping with the difficult experience positively by focusing on their studies, prayer and doing other extra jobs to support their struggling family. Few respondents reported negative coping by having substance abuse and insensitiveness. Based on findings, Filipino adolescent children of the incarcerated parents were expressed cognitive disturbance by frustrating thoughts about the uncertainty of the future, misfortune (false accusation) and shock. Some of them are still able to tolerate the situation and are hopeful. Emotionally, all the respondents are experiencing sadness, anger, and shame. Findings reveal that the some of the male respondents expressed antisocial behavior by drinking alcohol, quarreling, stealing. But others expressed the good friendly relationship and hard work