Silent Suffering: Secondary Stigma on Children of Incarcerated Parents and Strategies for Mitigation— A Systematic Review

With the growing number of incarcerated parents separated from their children due to imprisonment, it is increasingly crucial to analyze the impacts of parental incarceration on these children. The children of incarcerated parents (CIP) are often concealed from society or publicly condemned when identified, increasing the likelihood of adverse long-term consequences. While numerous studies have identified several emotional, behavioral, and financial impacts on the CIP as well as the “stigma” label attached to the CIP, there has been no study to our knowledge that has conducted a systematic review of the CIP’s experience of stigma, consequences of parental incarceration, and potential solutions to overcome adverse drawbacks. In this regard, this literature review systematically categorizes research topics previously studied in relation to CIP, identifies gaps in the literature, and explores solutions to mitigate their challenges.