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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Steph ScottORCiD, Dr Naomi GriffinORCiD, Dr Lisa CroweORCiD, Professor Tracy Shildrick
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
© 2026 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/AbstractGrowing up in a household where a family member has spent time in prison is one of ten recognised Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). This qualitative longitudinal study aimed to understand how family imprisonment impacts on children and young people’s mental health, emotional wellbeing and familial relationships. Nineteen children and young people across Scotland and Northern England took part in up to three interviews over the course of one year. We discuss three themes: [1] navigating unfriendly complex systems; [2] distress, grief and trauma; [3] acceptance, normalisation and coping mechanisms. These themes illuminate the profound impact that family imprisonment had on all aspects of children and young people’s lives, particularly their emotional wellbeing. They concealed their circumstances due to fear of stigma; took on young carer roles within the family home; enacted their own distinct coping mechanisms to counter the continual uncertainty they faced and felt unsupported by professional agencies. Future research should focus on the experiences of those who do not maintain contact with their family member in prison, those further marginalised such as black and racially minoritised children and children living with disabilities and neurodivergence. Finally, further studies should interrogate existing support pathways designed for vulnerable children and young people to ensure those experiencing family imprisonment do not fall through gaps in current provision.
Author(s): Scott S, Griffin N, Crowe L, Shildrick T, Young T, Loucks N, Minson S
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Children and Youth Services Review
Year: 2026
Volume: 185
Print publication date: 01/06/2026
Online publication date: 27/03/2026
Acceptance date: 23/03/2026
Date deposited: 13/04/2026
ISSN (print): 0190-7409
ISSN (electronic): 1873-7765
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd
URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2026.108904
DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2026.108904
Data Access Statement: The data that has been used is confidential.
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