This chapter discusses children’s emotion regulation and adjustment in relation to parental incarceration. Parental incarceration may contribute to psychological maladjustment by disrupting the attachment bond between the parent and child and by influencing the development and deployment of maladaptive emotion regulation competencies. A nascent body of research indicates children of incarcerated parents are at risk for negative socio-emotional, psychological, educational, and health outcomes. Limited studies have investigated the impact incarceration has on emotion regulation; preliminary findings demonstrate children who manifest stronger emotion regulation skills have fewer negative psychological outcomes. Thus, a more comprehensive investigation of emotion regulation competencies fostering resilience is warranted. Additionally, future research investigating the impact of modeling and emotion coaching by key socializing figures is warranted. Training children and caregivers to manage affect during emotionally-provocative situations during the incarceration period (e.g., visitations, family reunification) may promote healthy adjustment.
