Successful reentry among formerly incarcerated women: a mixed methods analysis

2013-04-29This study focuses broadly on women's reentry from prison. More narrowly, it focuses on what success means to formerly incarcerated women, and how helping others and receiving help from others contributes to their successful reentry. This dissertation draws heavily from the literature on the phenomenon of prisoner reentry in an era of mass incarceration. We further draw from several theories, including labeling theory, social support / social bond theory, the generativity argument, and relational and gender socialization theories to help contextualize and explicate our findings. An overarching feminist orientation is employed to understand the experience of reentry from the perspective of women themselves and to generate knowledge that contributes to their emancipation and liberation. ❧ The dissertation is presented in multiple manuscript format. In Study 1 we explore how formerly incarcerated women define success. Research typically assumes success to be avoidance of recidivism. Qualitative analysis of data from in-depth interviews suggests, however, that avoiding recidivism is only one aspect of success for this population. Becoming self-reliant, helping family members and others, persevering through challenges, and being able to enjoy a ""normal"" life are further identified as indicators of success. These findings illuminate the multifaceted nature of formerly incarcerated women's lives, revealing the importance of self-care, connections to others, and a place in the community. ❧ In Study 2 we employ a concurrent triangulation mixed methods design to explore the role that being a ""helper/wounded healer"" has for formerly incarcerated women. Qualitative analyses revealed that formerly incarcerated women help others who are less far along in the recovery/reintegration process because it feels good, keeps them busy and connected to prosocial others, and helps them cope with their own problems. Regression analyses further revealed that endorsing a ""helper/wounded healer"" orientation positively influenced self-esteem and social support. These findings highlight the benefits that helping others has for formerly incarcerated women. The culture of ""giving back"" and being of service to others who are less far along in the recovery/reintegration process is discussed. ❧ Study 3 employs an explanatory mixed methods design to explicate formerly incarcerated women's sources of social support and the influence of that support on their life satisfaction. Results of regression analyses reveal that only support from ""others,"" but not from friends or family, positively predicts life satisfaction. Qualitative analyses used to elucidate who the ""others"" are that provide support to this population reveal that ""others"" include service-recipient and 12-step program peers, agency staff and other professionals, and (sometimes) romantic partners. Romantic partners were also described as a source of risk or conflict. These findings support and clarify theories of social support / social bonds for formerly incarcerated women, highlighting the importance of peer support for their successful reentry. ❧ We conclude by summarizing major findings from the three studies and providing implications for theory, policy and future research. Our findings affirm and expand the literature on the facilitative role that social support / social bonds play in formerly incarcerated women's successful reintegration. Their desires and efforts to reach back and help one another should be encouraged rather than hindered by correctional policies, and models of peer-based support and mentorship should be established to facilitate successful reentry. Future research should explore links between both the giving and receiving of social support and outcomes considered relevant to this population among nationally representative samples, and should identify additional factors that facilitate success, as defined by formerly incarcerated women themselves