YOUTH PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH TO

EXPLORE EXPERIENCES AND STRATEGIES FOR

IMPROVING THE WELL-BEING OF YOUTH WITH

INCARCERATED PARENTS

Background: This study, initiated by

researchers at Case Western Reserve

University, utilized a Youth Participatory

Action Research (YPAR) approach in

Cuyahoga County, Ohio, to explore the

impact of having an incarcerated parent on

youth well-being. The project engaged a

youth advisory board to help select and

design the research methodology. The

YPAR approach included focus group

discussion, storytelling, and photovoice with

20 participants, ages 10–18.

Aims: The aims of the study were (1) to

explore the impact of having an

incarcerated parent on youth (ages 10–18)

well-being; (2) to gather input from youth on

what strategies could help address the

challenges of having an incarcerated parent

and to promote individual and community

flourishing.

RAISING VOICES

SUMMARY OF CASE WESTERN UNIVERSITY YPAR PROJECT

Findings and youth recommendations on

research topic: Study findings highlight the

impact that incarceration has beyond the

convicted individual; it affects children,

families, and entire communities. Youth

discussed the root causes of community

violence and mass incarceration, and the

ways in which our current system

perpetuates, rather than improves, these

challenges. The youth discussed

interconnected challenges in maintaining

mental health, such as how incarceration

can worsen the mental health of

incarcerated individuals and those close to

them. The youth developed strategies for

policy, social services, schools, parents,

children, and communities to better address

their needs in relation to having an

incarcerated parent and to promote

flourishing.
Addressing the root causes of poverty and racism in their communities (e.g., building

wealth for Black and minority families and creating more accountability and better

relationships with law enforcement)

Finding ways to connect children and youth with others who have had a similar

experience of having incarcerated family members in order to normalize the children’s

experiences and so that students know that they are not alone

Increasing mental health services for incarcerated individuals and their families

Providing universal supports such as free school lunch and afterschool programming

Talking openly and honestly with children about incarceration, letting children guide

whether and how to maintain relationships with incarcerated parents, and listening to

children

YPAR method conclusions: For this YPAR

project, youth were involved in all stages of

the research, including planning, data

collection, analysis, and dissemination. A

core advisory board of young people, adults,

and community partners was created to

enhance the research and improve linkages

between community organizations, policy

makers, and youth. Flexibility was a key

component in the YPAR process,

particularly due to the COVID-19 pandemic,

which required switching from remote data

collection to in-person and back again to

STRATEGIES:

remote. The Case Western Reserve

University researchers saw their role as

being facilitators and promoters of young

people’s interests, providing space for

young people to talk and share their

concerns, even if not related to the research

topic. This was very important during the

pandemic, when youth expressed multiple

anxieties in addition to having an

incarcerated parent. The university also

integrated a form of peer support into the

YPAR approach to address issues of

trauma, stigma, and shame.

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