A growing body of research reveals a connection between maternal incarceration and various child development outcomes. Even so, little is known about how the timing of maternal incarceration may shape the social–emotional development of young children and the role of maternal mental health in mediating this association. Using a sample of 1097 mothers (18–52 years old, 47.6% white) and children (aged 12–48 months) receiving home visiting services in Wisconsin, this study examined the intergenerational effect of incarceration before a child’s birth on child social–emotional development, and whether this association was mediated by maternal mental health. While incarceration prior to a child’s birth was not directly associated with child social–emotional outcomes, path analysis revealed an indirect association between mother’s incarceration prior to a child’s birth and child social–emotional problems through maternal mental health problems. Findings suggest that formerly incarcerated mothers may experience long-lasting mental health concerns that can undermine child social–emotional development. To optimize outcomes, practitioners may consider services that address the mental health, social support, and instrumental needs of mothers and children who have been impacted by mass incarceration.

越来越多的研究揭示了孕产妇监禁与各种儿童发育结果之间的联系。即便如此，关于母亲被监禁的时间如何影响幼儿的社会情感发展以及母亲心理健康在调节这种关联中的作用，人们知之甚少。本研究以威斯康星州接受家访服务的 1097 名母亲（18-52 岁，47.6% 为白人）和儿童（12-48 个月）为样本，检验了儿童出生前监禁的代际效应对儿童社会情感发展的影响，以及这种关联是否由母亲的心理健康所调节。虽然孩子出生前的监禁与孩子的社会情感结果没有直接关联，但路径分析揭示了母亲在孩子出生前的监禁与母亲心理健康问题导致的孩子的社会情感问题之间存在间接关联。调查结果表明，以前被监禁的母亲可能会经历长期的心理健康问题，这可能会破坏儿童的社交情感发展。为了优化结果，从业者可以考虑提供服务来解决受到大规模监禁影响的母亲和儿童的心理健康、社会支持和工具需求。