Young people who have experienced maternal imprisonment: ensuring their well being and voice in research

This paper reports on the methodological considerations of a qualitative study which explored the impact of maternal incarceration on twenty Victorian young people. It examines strategies for including their voices in research in a meaningful and respectful way. The children of imprisoned parents have received scant research or public attention. Research which has been undertaken into the experiences of these children has typically been conducted from the parental or carer perspective, with little engagement of the children or young people themselves. Such research highlights the difficulty in gaining access to and engaging with this group because of their relative invisibility and isolation, and the stigma they endure. This paper identifies and discusses the frameworks which guided the present s5tudy s methodology and their practical application. The paper concludes that research which is child-focused, and which is supported by sound social work values and skills, enables the development of an inclusive methodology which is responsive both to the participants and the research problem at hand.