Date of Publication

2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling Psychology

Subject Categories

Family, Life Course, and Society

College

Br. Andrew Gonzalez FSC College of Education

Department/Unit

Counseling and Educational Psychology

Thesis Advisor

Aime T. Guarino

Defense Panel Member

Jose Alberto S. Reyes
Nino Jose C. Mateo
Leo J. Capeding
Estesa Xaris Q. Legaspi

Abstract (English)

Stigma is one of the most difficult challenges of parental imprisonment that has detrimental psychological outcomes on adolescents of imprisoned parents. The studies among the imprisoned and their families have mostly focused on the impact of imprisonment. However, there are hardly any studies exploring the actual experiences of stigma and adolescents’ coping with stigma-related stressors in general and experiences based on the sex of the adolescent and the sex of the imprisoned parent, especially in the collectivist cultural context of India. The researcher explored this phenomenon using a qualitative exploratory multiple-case study design. Labeling and discriminatory treatments like social exclusion and domestic violence emerged as major stigma experiences across groups of participants. While peer rejection and bullying were dominant factors for male participants, trust issues were more prominent for female adolescents. Adolescents with imprisoned mothers seemed to receive more sympathy; however, adolescents perceive it as a stigmatizing experience. The adolescents employed resilience, seeking anonymity, distraction, and avoidant strategies in varying ways to cope with the adverse experiences of stigma. The study provides insights into the stigma and coping experiences of adolescents of imprisoned parents within a collectivist culture, highlighting the need for culturally informed mental health interventions to support this vulnerable group. The relevance and implications of the study are discussed.

Keywords: stigma of adolescents of imprisoned parents, collectivist culture, labeling, discriminatory treatment, seeking anonymity, and coping with stigma-related stressors

Abstract Format

html

Abstract (Filipino)

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Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Keywords

Children of prisoners—India; Stigma (Social psychology)—India

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Embargo Period

8-2028

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Available for download on Tuesday, August 01, 2028

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