Maria R Khan1, Joy D Scheidell2, David L Rosen3, Amanda Geller4, Laurie M Brotman2. 1. Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, 227 E 30(th) Street, New York, NY 10016, United States. Electronic address: maria.khan@nyumc.org. 2. Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, 227 E 30(th) Street, New York, NY 10016, United States. 3. Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 130 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States. 4. Department of Sociology, New York University, 295 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10012, United States.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: We measured associations between parental incarceration and STI/HIV-related drug use and sex risk, assessing differences by race, age at first parental incarceration, and potential mediators of the relationship. METHODS: We used Waves I (adolescence), III (young adulthood), and IV (adulthood) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (n = 11,884) to measure associations between age of parental incarceration (never; <8; 8-17; ≥18 years old) and marijuana and cocaine use, multiple partnerships, and STI in adolescence and adulthood among white, Black, and Hispanic participants and assessed mediation by sexual and physical abuse, mental disorder symptoms, and drug use. RESULTS: By Wave IV, approximately one in six had experienced a parental incarceration; higher prevalence observed among black (26%) and Hispanic (20%) versus white (15%) respondents (p < 0.0001). Parental incarceration at any age was moderately to strongly associated with STI/HIV risk outcomes. In multivariable models, parental incarceration at age <8 years old (versus never) remained strongly associated with STI/HIV risk in both adolescence and adulthood, with strongest associations among non-whites. Among black participants, parental incarceration at <8 years old was associated with over double the odds of adulthood use of marijuana (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 2.53, 95% confidence interval: 1.62, 3.95) and cocaine (AOR: 4.41, 95% CI: 2.05, 9.48). Delinquency, drug use, and mood disorders appeared to partially mediate the relationship. CONCLUSIONS: Children impacted by parental incarceration constitute priority populations for substance use and STI/HIV prevention and treatment. The unintended consequences of incarceration for children should be considered in decarceration discussions.
BACKGROUND: We measured associations between parental incarceration and STI/HIV-related drug use and sex risk, assessing differences by race, age at first parental incarceration, and potential mediators of the relationship. METHODS: We used Waves I (adolescence), III (young adulthood), and IV (adulthood) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (n = 11,884) to measure associations between age of parental incarceration (never; <8; 8-17; ≥18 years old) and marijuana and cocaine use, multiple partnerships, and STI in adolescence and adulthood among white, Black, and Hispanic participants and assessed mediation by sexual and physical abuse, mental disorder symptoms, and drug use. RESULTS: By Wave IV, approximately one in six had experienced a parental incarceration; higher prevalence observed among black (26%) and Hispanic (20%) versus white (15%) respondents (p < 0.0001). Parental incarceration at any age was moderately to strongly associated with STI/HIV risk outcomes. In multivariable models, parental incarceration at age <8 years old (versus never) remained strongly associated with STI/HIV risk in both adolescence and adulthood, with strongest associations among non-whites. Among black participants, parental incarceration at <8 years old was associated with over double the odds of adulthood use of marijuana (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 2.53, 95% confidence interval: 1.62, 3.95) and cocaine (AOR: 4.41, 95% CI: 2.05, 9.48). Delinquency, drug use, and mood disorders appeared to partially mediate the relationship. CONCLUSIONS:Children impacted by parental incarceration constitute priority populations for substance use and STI/HIV prevention and treatment. The unintended consequences of incarceration for children should be considered in decarceration discussions.
Authors: Kathryn E Mazzaferro; Pamela J Murray; Roberta B Ness; Debra C Bass; Nadra Tyus; Robert L Cook Journal: J Adolesc Health Date: 2006-07-10 Impact factor: 5.012
Authors: Maria R Khan; David A Wohl; Sharon S Weir; Adaora A Adimora; Caroline Moseley; Kathy Norcott; Jesse Duncan; Jay S Kaufman; William C Miller Journal: J Urban Health Date: 2007-11-20 Impact factor: 3.671