This chapter examines the challenges that imprisonment poses to health, mental well-being, and relationships with family and friends, according to prior research. It compares such challenges for men and women. The chapter begins by reporting on problems wrought by ageing, then describes how such problems vary by gender, before turning to research on ageing in prison specifically.

BACKGROUND:Historically, the Deaf community and audiologists have had differing views concerning hearing loss intervention. Even so, members of the Deaf community may see an audiologist for a variety of reasons and it is important that audiologists understand how to best work with these individuals. Professional audiological organizations encourage cultural competence when working with different cultures, including the Deaf community.PURPOSE:This study investigates audiologists' current cultural competency and exposure to, knowledge of, and attitudes towards Deaf individuals.RESEARCH DESIGN:A survey was sent out to 600 audiologists and descriptive analyses was completed.DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS:Study data were managed using REDCap electronic data capture tools and subsequently tabulated for each of the various survey questions.RESULTS:Findings indicate that audiologists have relatively limited exposure to this population in a clinical setting, most use interpreters, and most would like to take more ASL courses. Audiologists' attitudes were positive in serving members from the Deaf community.CONCLUSION:Findings suggest that more education on the use of interpreters would be beneficial. Future research may include examining the Deaf community's experience with audiologists, and the impact of exposure and other variables on the knowledge of and interactions with this population.

Incarcerated mothers face challenges to mothering in prison, including restricted opportunities to perform parenting tasks, ambiguous loss, and a compromised parenting identity. This study uses interviews with incarcerated mothers in the United States to explore how such women negotiate motherhood. All of the women grappled with how to care for their children from prison and projected futures that they hoped to experience as mothers. They varied in their active involvement as decision makers and in their intimacy with their children, but all were seen as renegotiating narrative identities. The study underscores the fact that social actors can be creative with self-narrative when they can be creative in few other ways.

Extant research on maternal incarceration has focused either on mothers as a whole (not disaggregated by race) or on the experiences of urban Black mothers, with relatively little focused attention on the experiences of their White counterparts. This study expands research on incarceration and its effects using qualitative interviews to explore how prison shapes identity construction among an understudied population—rural White mothers. Mothers in our sample expressed histories of family problems and drug use. Uniquely, we explore findings from a framework of “spoiled identity” for both the mothers themselves and their children as a result of their incarceration.

Through semistructured interviews, this study explores reentry-related expectations and experiences among adolescents whose parents are or were recently incarcerated (n = 11). Results suggested a common thread of discrepancy in participants' lives, particularly in terms of conceptions of family, salience of mature topics, and expectations for reentry. Results further suggested that youth who had multiple family members with incarceration histories were especially attuned to mature topics and that participants who were exclusively hopeful about their parent's reentry either had limited contact with them prior to incarceration or had positive, transformative experiences with them during the incarceration period.

Methodological challenges of conducting research with protected populations using qualitative methods are abundant. Inmates and children are two vulnerable populations, requiring rigorous processes and permissions to gain access to individuals in these populations. Qualitative research requires intimate interactions and discussions of sensitive topics, posing challenges related to extracting information and creating emotional responses from researcher and participant. Drawing on interviews with incarcerated mothers and children with incarcerated parents, we discuss challenges and benefits of qualitative methodology for research on parental incarceration and offer suggestions for overcoming barriers to access, data collection, and publication.

Theory and research suggest that parental incarceration is often a significant source of stress for children and adolescents. Understanding how young people navigate the stressors of parental incarceration can shed important light on well-being and inform intervention efforts, but little research exists on the coping strategies that young people use during and after a parent’s incarceration. Through in-depth interviews, this study explores how adolescents ( n = 10) cope with parental incarceration. Results suggest that most adolescents use some combination of three strategies: deidentification from the incarcerated parent, desensitization to incarceration, and strength through control. Results reveal variability in how young people cope with parental incarceration, and underscore the importance of future research on the implications of different strategies for well-being.

Journal of Marriage and FamilyVolume 75, Issue 1 p. 259-262 Misidentified or Misunderstood? A Reply to Wildeman, Wakefield, and Turney (2013) Elizabeth I. Johnson, Corresponding Author Elizabeth I. Johnson University of Tennessee, KnoxvilleDepartment of Child and Family Studies, University of Tennessee, 115 Jessie Harris Building, Knoxville, TN 37996 ([email protected]).Search for more papers by this authorBeth Easterling, Beth Easterling Gallaudet University *Search for more papers by this author Elizabeth I. Johnson, Corresponding Author Elizabeth I. Johnson University of Tennessee, KnoxvilleDepartment of Child and Family Studies, University of Tennessee, 115 Jessie Harris Building, Knoxville, TN 37996 ([email protected]).Search for more papers by this authorBeth Easterling, Beth Easterling Gallaudet University *Search for more papers by this author First published: 16 January 2013 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2012.01026.xCitations: 4 Department of History, Philosophy, Religion, and Sociology, Gallaudet University, S133 Hall Memorial Building, Washington, DC 20002. Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Citing Literature Volume75, Issue1February 2013Pages 259-262 RelatedInformation

Growth in U.S. incarceration rates during the 1980s and 1990s prompted a body of research focused on understanding the diverse effects of incarceration on individuals, families, and communities. An area of particular interest has been how the incarceration of a parent may affect child well-being. Despite what appears to be converging evidence that parental incarceration poses a significant threat to child development, this area of inquiry has yet to overcome important methodological and conceptual challenges related to selection bias. It is therefore unclear whether the difficulties that have been observed among children whose parents are incarcerated are due to the incarceration itself or to other adversities that children have experienced. The purpose of this article is to draw attention to these issues, to summarize empirical and conceptual progress in overcoming these challenges, and to suggest directions for future research.

Policies of mass incarceration have resulted in a dramatic increase in the prison population in the United States over the past few decades. The number and proportion of women who are incarcerated have vastly increased as a result. Despite increased interest among criminologists, a variety of questions remain as to how women experience incarceration. Most women who are incarcerated are mothers, but criminological literature has yet to fully explain how mothers fulfill their parenting roles or navigate motherhood while incarcerated. No dominant theoretical framework exists to explain the experiences of incarcerated mothers in relation to their mothering roles. This research addresses such limitations by exploring the question: How do incarcerated mothers negotiate motherhood from behind bars? Data from this study come from qualitative interviews with 49 mothers (35 individually and 14 in group settings) serving time at the Kentucky Correctional Institute for Women. Findings suggest that incarcerated mothers experience ambiguous loss of children and the mother identity. They deal with that loss through coping strategies to preserve motherhood and by redefining the mother role. Policy recommendations and suggestions for future research based on findings are discussed.

A 42 item Internet questionnaire was completed by 268 undergraduates at a large southeastern university to assess the frequency, motivations, and outcome of snooping in romantic relationships. Almost two thirds (66%) reported that they had engaged in snooping behavior, most often when the partner was taking a shower. Primary motives were curiosity and suspicion that the partner was cheating. Being female, jealous, and having been cheated on were associated with higher frequencies of snooping behavior. Uncertainty reduction theory was used to explain snooping behavior. Implications of the data suggest that the decision to snoop should be considered with great caution as almost twice as many relationships were worse (28%) as improved (18) as a result of the snooping. Limitations of the data are identified. ********** Snooping, also known as covert intrusive behavior, is defined as investigating (without the partner's knowledge or permission) a romantic partner's private communication (e.g. text messages, cell phone and email). Snooping behavior emerges in a context of mistrust and is fed by the perception that the partner is withholding information (not disclosing). Vinkers et al. (2011) noted that snooping is functional for the snooper since it provides information that is supposed to be a secret and gives power over the partner who cannot deny certain facts (e.g. know you sent a text message to your ex saying that you missed her because I read your text). Snooping typically has negative consequences in that it is associated with increased conflict, decreased trust, and strained interaction. High levels of personal disclosure are expected in close relationships. When an individual in a romantic relationship feels that his or her partner is not open/disclosing/secretive, he or she feels hurt and devalued. Individuals who feel anxious and uncertain about the partner's lack of disclosure are motivated to gain increased information which sometime results in snooping. Hence, low disclosure creates the context in which persons may snoop to gain increased information about the partner's behavior to correct the behavior if it is a threat to the relationship. Vinkers et al. (2011) studied 188 couples married an average of two years and found that lower levels of perceived partner disclosure were associated with higher levels of intrusive behavior (snooping). Second, perceived disclosure was negatively associated with intrusive behavior at lower levels of trust in one's partner, but not at higher levels of trust. Hence, if one partner did not trust another, even though there was high disclosure, intrusive behavior still occurred. And, if the trust level was high, even though disclosure was low, snooping was less likely. Also, couples in the Vinkers et al. (2011) study believed that wives engaged in more snooping (intrusive behavior) than husbands because women have a higher need for emotional involvement and men have a greater need to control their privacy than women. The researchers did not find an actual gender difference in snooping behavior. Methods Questionnaire A 42 item questionnaire (approved by the Institutional Review Board) on Snooping-A Survey on Attitudes and Behaviors) was posted on the Internet from March 15 to April 15, 2011. Students in five lower division sociology classes at a large southeastern university were emailed the link and asked to complete the survey. Demographic questions regarding gender, year in school, relationship status, religion, number of serious relationships, etc. preceded being asked questions about snooping. Sample A total of 268 respondents completed the survey. The majority of respondents (approximately 84%) were female, white (approximately 74%), and heterosexual (approximately 91%). Over half of the respondents (over 54%) described their relationship status as emotionally involved with one person, but not engaged or married. …

Analysis of data from a 50-item survey on “Secrets in Romantic Relationships” completed by 431 respondents (primarily attending a large southeastern university) revealed that more than 60% reported ever having kept a personal secret in a romantic relationship and one-fourth were currently doing so. Findings included that homosexuals were more willing to keep significantly (p <.01) more secrets than heterosexuals. The suggested explanation is that homosexuals live in a heterosexist context, which encourages regular deception by hiding their sexual orientation to avoid prejudice and discrimination (the phrase “in the closet” means “keeping a secret”). Homosexuals may keep a secret from a romantic partner more often because they have a pattern of keeping secrets. Other significant findings included that females, spouses, and blacks kept more secrets than males, dating partners, and whites. Implications and limitations are suggested.

is culturally understood to mean a discussion whereby both partners in a relationship reveal their feelings about each other and their commitment to a together. Typically, one partner feels a greater need to clarity and instigates the talk. This study reports analysis of a 15 item questionnaire completed by 211 undergraduates in regard to the to identify length of relationship before talk (65% had the within one year, 36% within six months) and context (usually during a meal). The most frequent (30%) strategy was direct (What do you see as far as of this relationship?) or questioning of motives (15%) (What do you want out of this relationship?). The most frequent reaction from partner was that he or she *'wanted a future (50.5%) or did not (32.5%). Nine percent told partner that there was no and 14% broke up. Social exchange theory is used to explain initiating *'the talk. Implications and limitations are suggested. ********** Partners in a new relationship often have different interests in regard to continuing relationship- future. While one partner may view relationship as casual/short-term, other may want increasing levels of commitment- exclusivity, cohabitation, and marriage. Partners often operate in limbo. Not only may they not reveal to partner their own level of commitment, they may be reluctant to ask partner to reveal his or her thoughts about future. is culturally understood to mean a discussion whereby both parties reveal their feelings about each other and their commitment to together. Typically, one partner feels a greater need to clarify and instigates the talk. Hence, the involves one part Her engaging other about of relationship. The goal of the is to confirm that partner is interested in and committed to a future. Previous studies on commitment have been in reference to experience of young men as they encounter serious relationships (Forrest, 2010), well-being of college students in committed relationships (Braithwaite et al., 2010) and commitment to remain in a marriage (Miles and Servaty, 2010). No research has targeted discussion between romantic partners about of their relationship. What research does exist about communication and focuses on process of communication (Gibson, 2008) and different topics of communication for individuals in long distance dating relationships versus those in geographically close distance relationships. Stafford (2010) found that those in latter relationships were more likely to talk about marriage. The purpose of current research was to examine the in terms of how long partners are involved before they have the specific words/strategies used in having the talk, and context (e.g. during sex?, after sex?, while watching TV?, dinner?) of the talk. Other research questions included how partner responded and effect of the on couple's relationship. Sample Data for study was based on a sample of 211 undergraduate student volunteers at a large southeastern university who completed a 15 item questionnaire (approved by Institutional Review Board) on Having 'the talk': Words, Timing and Context of Undergraduates Assessing Commitment of a Romantic Partner. Respondents completed questionnaire anonymously. The researcher was not in room when questionnaire was completed and no identifying information or codes allowed researcher to know identity of respondents. A majority of respondents were female (77.7%) (22.3% male) and white (78.0%) (11.4% African American). Class standing in college was distributed across categories, with largest category being freshmen 43.1% (28.9% were sophomores, 16. …

Analysis of data from a 76 item survey on and Romantic Involvement completed by 286 respondents at a large southeastern university revealed that undergraduates who prayed more frequently were more likely to require that a person they dated not only would pray themselves but also pray with the respondent. Frequency of respondents' praying habits was also positively correlated with requiring that a future mate pray. In addition, those who prayed more often were more likely to have prayed to find a mate and prayed for help in resolving relationship problems with a mate. The theory of homogamy is suggested as an explanation for the findings. Implications include that is an important value in the lives of these undergraduates and a discriminating variable influencing undergraduate dating and mate selection. Limitations are identified. ********** Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. And if I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. The above is familiar to those adults who (as children) got on their knees, put their hands together, and said the words before leaping into bed. It was a ritual that symbolized to the parents that their child's religious socialization was on track. This study examined the degree to which the frequency of was a meaningful factor in romantic relationships, including requiring that a potential date and potential mate pray. Prayer has been the focus of considerable research including the relationship of to psychological well being (Leondari and Gialamas, 2009), its use in marital therapy (Sullivan and Karney, 2008), and the personality profiles/demographic factors of persons most likely to pray (Francis and Robbins, 2008; Baker, 2008). In one of the few studies on as it relates to one's romantic partner, Fincham et al. (2008) found in their longitudinal study that for one's partner had a positive effect on relationship satisfaction by influencing one's commitment to the relationship and the future with the partner. Previous social scientific research on has identified the relationship between and demographics. For example, the Baylor Religion Survey, a national random sample of U.S. adults (N=1,721) found that women, African-Americans, and those with lower incomes prayed more often than males, whites, and those with higher incomes. Definition of Prayer and Research Questions While definitions of vary, the authors regarded as an exercise or ritual designed to communicate with the supernatural for the purpose of asking for divine intervention in one's situation. The two research questions driving this research were: 1. What is the prayer profile of undergraduates and 2. Does the frequency of determine whether a person prays for a mate, insist that their partner pray, or end a relationship if a partner does not pray? Sample and Profile Data for this study came from a sample of 286 undergraduate volunteers at a large southeastern university who completed a 77 item questionnaire (approved by the Institutional Review Board) on among Undergraduates. Respondents completed the questionnaire over the Internet. Demographic characteristics of the sample follow: Prayer Profile-Over three fourths (75.5%) reported that they prayed--35.3% prayed between 2 and 6 times a week; 21.7% prayed every day. About a quarter (24.5%) reported that they never prayed. Almost sixty percent (59.5%) believed that people who pray are happier. A prerequisite for dating or marrying someone is that they must pray some of the time--45.8% and 61.4%.respectively. Over half (52.1%) would end a future relationship if the partner was not supportive of their praying. The stereotype of the Godless, anti-religious, college student who does not pray, or expect their romantic partner to do so, was not true of these respondents. …

Bersot and Arrigo (this issue) find that judges in the U.S. district and appellate courts generally defer to prison officials in Eighth Amendment challenges over punitive segregation of mentally ill inmates, effectively allowing mistreatment. In these cases, judges tend to channel formalist and utilitarian logics. Bersot and Arrigo maintain that these logics conduce to maltreatment of inmates. However, we believe that if judges actually evaluated prison policy along utilitarian lines, drawing on criminological research and assigning special value to basic human rights, convicts and would-be convicts would be better treated in and out of prison. Criminal justice agents who perpetrate or permit harm bring a value orientation to their work that is not so dissimilar to ours, but they circumscribe the beneficiaries of concern differently.

The link between employment and well-being is well-documented. However, limited research is available examining how employment affects the well-being of military spouses. Using data from the 2003 Air Force Community Assessment Survey, this study examines the impact of employment characteristics on depression levels, satisfaction with emotional well-being, and life satisfaction for military spouses. Results indicate that being unemployed and looking for employment outside of the home is detrimental to well-being for this group. Other personal, familial, and military factors are also discussed in relationship to employment and well-being of military spouses. Practical implications and suggestions for further research are discussed.