Rebecca J Shlafer
Biographic Data
| ID | 231705 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Rebecca J Shlafer |
| GIVEN NAMES | Rebecca J |
| FAMILY NAME | Shlafer |
| SIGNATURE | SHLAFER R J |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Minnesota |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-7833-9053 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 39 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 31 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 39 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2010 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 4 |
Adverse Childhood Experiences, Mental Health, and Access to Treatment: Differences Among Rural and Urban Youth
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with poor adolescent mental health. Despite evidence that ACEs may be more prevalent in rural communities, it remains underexplored how region moderates the association between ACEs and mental health, as well as how access to treatment may vary across regions. Data for this study come from the 2019 Minnesota Student Survey, a state-wide survey of 125,375 adolescents. Results suggest that cumulat…
Developmental differences in children’s visits with parents in jail
Family justice involvement in evidence-based home visiting services: Understanding home visitor perceptions and practices
Retaining infants and young children who experience transitions in care in longitudinal studies of child health and development: Considerations from the Healthy Brain and Child Development study
A transition in care (TIC) is a significant change in the primary adults who provide care for a child, involving a move to informal or formal non‐parental care, including kinship and foster care. In this paper, we address three issues: (1) the theoretical and empirical reasons for retaining infants and children who experience TIC in longitudinal studies of child health and development; (2) the import of retaining infants and children who experien…
Parental incarceration, youth mental health, and resilience: Relationships at home and beyond
Adverse childhood experiences among parents in prison: Implications for parenting
“It’s gotta be really hard to be a mom inside right now: ” A qualitative analysis on the impacts of Covid-19 on perinatal support programs for people in prison
BACKGROUND: Prisons are well understood to be hotspots of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, little is known about the impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has had on pregnant and postpartum people in prison. We conducted a secondary analysis of 63 semi-structured qualitative interviews (December 2021-May 2023) with subject matter experts, primarily perinatal program staff working in prisons, to better understand how perinatal support programs for people in pr…
Maternal health and incarceration: Advancing pregnancy justice through research
This paper will review the state of the science on maternal health and incarceration. We will provide a historical context on women, pregnancy, and mothers as it relates to mass incarceration, considering both structural racism and reproductive justice. We will discuss existing research that documents care, treatment, and outcomes of individuals who are incarcerated while pregnant or postpartum in the United States. We will discuss the implicatio…
A Qualitative Review of Organizational Covid-19 Communications and Guidance for Pregnant and Postpartum People Who Are Incarcerated
Background: Each year, thousands of pregnant or postpartum women enter prison and jails across the U.S. During the COVID-19 pandemic, pregnant people who were incarcerated were at increased risk of infection and health complications. Little is known about the role of national public health, medical, and carceral organizations in promoting the health and well-being of pregnant and postpartum people who are incarcerated during the COVID-19 pandemic…
The Long Arm of Maternal Incarceration: Indirect Associations with Children’s Social–Emotional Development
Right to “Life”: The Cruel Contradiction of Exceptions to the Death Penalty for Pregnant People
The death penalty debate intensifies when condemned women are considered, at least in part because of the associations society holds between womanhood and motherhood. Consequently, the concept of motherhood inherently permeates every condemned woman's sentence. Using qualitative document analysis, we examine how pregnancy is accounted for in the death penalty statutes and execution protocols. In half of U.S. states, exceptions exist in the statut…
Impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on the experiences of incarcerated pregnant people
Substance use among rural adolescents with incarcerated parents: Evidence from a state‐wide sample
PURPOSE: Incarceration rates are highest in rural communities, disproportionately exposing rural children to parental incarceration (PI). Substance use is a pressing public health issue-and a key driver of incarceration-in rural areas, yet limited research has examined PI as a social determinant of health for adolescent alcohol and drug use. This study links exposure to PI with rural adolescent substance use and examines the role of coresidence w…
Partnering to Address Health Inequities among Incarcerated Populations: Prisons, Jails, and Covid-19 Vaccination
Centering lived experiences of those directly impacted by incarceration has been crucial to increasing vaccine confidence among this population. Doing so reinforced the importance of long-term investments in community-based collaborations with communities impacted by incarceration
School-Based Outcomes, Post-Graduation Plans and Adult Support among Youth who have been in Foster Care
Linking Adverse Experiences to Pregnancy and Birth Outcomes: A Life Course Analysis of Racial and Ethnic Disparities Among Low-Income Women
Facilitators and barriers to Covid-19 vaccination among incarcerated people and staff in three large, state prisons: A cross-sectional study
Towards family preservation: A systematic jurisdiction analysis of prison visitation policies during the Covid-19 pandemic
Reflections from Ten Years of Research with the Minnesota Prison Doula Project
Beyond “pains” and “gains”: Untangling the health consequences of probation
Covid-19's Effect on Pregnancy Care for Incarcerated People
Objective/background: Prisons and jails are high risk environments for COVID-19. Little is known about COVID-19's impact on pregnancy care for the tens of thousands of pregnant people who pass through these institutions each year. This study aimed to describe how COVID-19 has influenced prisons' and jails' pregnancy care services. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of a convenience sample of U.S. prisons and jails and report descripti…
Jail Provision of Pregnancy and Sexual Health Services in Four Midwestern States
Understanding the Needs and Programmatic Interests of Incarcerated Parents: Findings from a Prison Needs Assessment
Incarcerated people – including those who are parents – have a diverse set of criminogenic needs and responsivity issues, raising questions about how best to support them in prison. Using a sample of 2,120 adults in state prison, this study examined self-reported needs and programs of interest, assessed how these varied by parenting status and between mothers and fathers, and considered predictors of individuals’ interest in parenting services. P…
Enhanced perinatal programs for people in prisons: A summary of six states' programs
The Health and Development of Young Children Who Witnessed Their Parent’s Arrest Prior to Parental Jail Incarceration
Most U.S. incarceration occurs in jails, with more than 10 million annual admissions, and most individuals in jail are parents of minor children. In this short-term longitudinal study, we examined the health and development of young children who did or did not witness their parent's arrest prior to parental jail incarceration. 228 individuals in 76 triads (incarcerated parents, children, at-home caregivers) were enrolled from four jails in two st…
An international human rights perspective on maternal criminal justice involvement in the United States
Internationally and historically unprecedented numbers of women in the United States are under criminal justice supervision in jails, prisons, and the community. Pregnant women and mothers with minor children comprise a large proportion of this population. The rise in criminal justice oversight and
The interpersonal antecedents of supportive parenting: A prospective, longitudinal study from infancy to adulthood
This study drew on prospective, longitudinal data to test the hypothesis that the intergenerational transmission of positive parenting is mediated by competence in subsequent relationships with peers and romantic partners. Interview-based ratings of supportive parenting were completed with a sample of 113 individuals (46% male) followed from birth to age 32. Results indicated that supportive parenting during adulthood was predicted by observed ma…
Pregnancy and Parenting Support for Incarcerated Women: Lessons Learned
Effective services for pregnant incarcerated women can be provided through a successful community- university-corrections partnership
Reproductive justice for incarcerated mothers and advocacy for their infants and young children
The United States has seen unprecedented growth in the number of incarcerated women, most of whom are mothers with minor children. Major public health concerns relate to the reproductive health of women in prisons and jails and the well‐being of their infants and young children. In the current article, we use a reproductive justice framework to examine the intersection of incarceration and maternal and child health. We review (a) current research…
Substance Use among Youth with Currently and Formerly Incarcerated Parents
Parental incarceration impacts millions of children in the U.S. and has important consequences for youths' adjustment. Children of incarcerated parents are at risk for a host of negative psychosocial outcomes, including substance abuse problems. Using data from a statewide survey of youth behavior, the effect of both present and past parental incarceration on youths' report of their substance use behaviors was examined. Both present and past pare…
Covid-19 and prison policies related to communication with family members
To limit the spread of the highly contagious COVID-19 virus, departments of corrections (DOCs) in all 50 states suspended in-person visits to state prisons between March 7 and March 19, 2020 This article describes changes to policies related to the contact incarcerated individuals could have with family members and others since the pandemic began We also examine the clarity of the information presented to the public regarding COVID-19 testing and…
Relationships Between Social-Emotional Intelligence and Sexual Risk Behaviors in Adolescent Girls
Social-emotional intelligence (SEI) has been linked with a number of health behaviors in adolescent populations. However, little is known about the influence of SEI on sexual behavior. This study examined associations between three indicators of SEI (intrapersonal skills, interpersonal skills, stress management skills) and adolescent girls' sexual risk behaviors. Data come from a cross-sectional sample of sexually active adolescent girls (ages 13…
Linking Adverse Experiences to Pregnancy and Birth Outcomes: A Life Course Analysis of Racial and Ethnic Disparities Among Low-Income Women
Attachment and caregiving relationships in families affected by parental incarceration
This longitudinal, mixed method study focused on 57 families of children who participated in a mentoring program for children of incarcerated parents. Children ranged in age from 4 to 15 years. Monthly interviews were conducted with children, caregivers, and mentors during the first six months of program participation, and questionnaires were administered at intake and six months to assess caregiver-child and incarcerated parent-child relationshi…
Adolescence as a Critical Stage in the MCH Life Course Model: Commentary for the Leadership Education in Adolescent Health (Leah) Interdisciplinary Training Program Projects
Perinatal Experiences of Low-Income and Incarcerated Women
Poverty is a significant risk factor for suboptimal pregnancy and infant outcomes. Because of widespread recognition of the negative effects of poverty during pregnancy, federal programs in the United States and other health and psychosocial interventions are available to improve pregnancy and postpartum outcomes, with some success. Incarceration is increasingly recognized as a significant risk for pregnant women and their children. When they ent…
Pregnancy and Parenting Support for Incarcerated Women: Lessons Learned
Effective services for pregnant incarcerated women can be provided through a successful community- university-corrections partnership
Relationships Between Social-Emotional Intelligence and Sexual Risk Behaviors in Adolescent Girls
Social-emotional intelligence (SEI) has been linked with a number of health behaviors in adolescent populations. However, little is known about the influence of SEI on sexual behavior. This study examined associations between three indicators of SEI (intrapersonal skills, interpersonal skills, stress management skills) and adolescent girls' sexual risk behaviors. Data come from a cross-sectional sample of sexually active adolescent girls (ages 13…
The interpersonal antecedents of supportive parenting: A prospective, longitudinal study from infancy to adulthood
This study drew on prospective, longitudinal data to test the hypothesis that the intergenerational transmission of positive parenting is mediated by competence in subsequent relationships with peers and romantic partners. Interview-based ratings of supportive parenting were completed with a sample of 113 individuals (46% male) followed from birth to age 32. Results indicated that supportive parenting during adulthood was predicted by observed ma…
Substance Use among Youth with Currently and Formerly Incarcerated Parents
Parental incarceration impacts millions of children in the U.S. and has important consequences for youths' adjustment. Children of incarcerated parents are at risk for a host of negative psychosocial outcomes, including substance abuse problems. Using data from a statewide survey of youth behavior, the effect of both present and past parental incarceration on youths' report of their substance use behaviors was examined. Both present and past pare…
Youth–Adult Connectedness
Over the past 30 years, prevention science in the adolescent health field has moved from interventions focused on preventing single problem behaviors to efforts employing a dual approach, addressing risk factors that predict problems while simultaneously nurturing protective factors and promoting positive development. Through an examination of previous research and empirical case examples with vulnerable youth, this article considers the hypothes…
An international human rights perspective on maternal criminal justice involvement in the United States
Internationally and historically unprecedented numbers of women in the United States are under criminal justice supervision in jails, prisons, and the community. Pregnant women and mothers with minor children comprise a large proportion of this population. The rise in criminal justice oversight and
Adolescent Connectedness with Parents Promotes Resilience among Homeless Youth
Youth who experience homelessness have worse health and well-being than housed youth. Internal assets, including social competency and positive self-identity, are factors that promote healthy development. This study compared internal assets between homeless and housed youth, and examined whether connectedness with parents moderates the association between homelessness and internal assets. Using data from a large population-based survey of middle-…
Household Incarceration and Salient Emerging Adult Role Transitions: Findings From an Urban Sample of Hispanic Youth
In California, Hispanic children are 2.5 times as likely to have a family member in prison than their non-Hispanic White peers. Despite these ethnic disparities, few studies have examined the longitudinal impact of household incarceration on age-salient developmental transitions among Hispanic emerging adults. Using a matching method to control for demographic and psychosocial factors, we investigated whether emerging adults who were raised in fa…
Reproductive justice for incarcerated mothers and advocacy for their infants and young children
The United States has seen unprecedented growth in the number of incarcerated women, most of whom are mothers with minor children. Major public health concerns relate to the reproductive health of women in prisons and jails and the well‐being of their infants and young children. In the current article, we use a reproductive justice framework to examine the intersection of incarceration and maternal and child health. We review (a) current research…
The Health and Development of Young Children Who Witnessed Their Parent’s Arrest Prior to Parental Jail Incarceration
Most U.S. incarceration occurs in jails, with more than 10 million annual admissions, and most individuals in jail are parents of minor children. In this short-term longitudinal study, we examined the health and development of young children who did or did not witness their parent's arrest prior to parental jail incarceration. 228 individuals in 76 triads (incarcerated parents, children, at-home caregivers) were enrolled from four jails in two st…
Family home visiting and fathers: A scoping review
Covid-19 and prison policies related to communication with family members
To limit the spread of the highly contagious COVID-19 virus, departments of corrections (DOCs) in all 50 states suspended in-person visits to state prisons between March 7 and March 19, 2020 This article describes changes to policies related to the contact incarcerated individuals could have with family members and others since the pandemic began We also examine the clarity of the information presented to the public regarding COVID-19 testing and…
Reflections from Ten Years of Research with the Minnesota Prison Doula Project
Beyond “pains” and “gains”: Untangling the health consequences of probation
Covid-19's Effect on Pregnancy Care for Incarcerated People
Objective/background: Prisons and jails are high risk environments for COVID-19. Little is known about COVID-19's impact on pregnancy care for the tens of thousands of pregnant people who pass through these institutions each year. This study aimed to describe how COVID-19 has influenced prisons' and jails' pregnancy care services. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of a convenience sample of U.S. prisons and jails and report descripti…
Jail Provision of Pregnancy and Sexual Health Services in Four Midwestern States
Understanding the Needs and Programmatic Interests of Incarcerated Parents: Findings from a Prison Needs Assessment
Incarcerated people – including those who are parents – have a diverse set of criminogenic needs and responsivity issues, raising questions about how best to support them in prison. Using a sample of 2,120 adults in state prison, this study examined self-reported needs and programs of interest, assessed how these varied by parenting status and between mothers and fathers, and considered predictors of individuals’ interest in parenting services. P…
Enhanced perinatal programs for people in prisons: A summary of six states' programs
Facilitators and barriers to Covid-19 vaccination among incarcerated people and staff in three large, state prisons: A cross-sectional study
Towards family preservation: A systematic jurisdiction analysis of prison visitation policies during the Covid-19 pandemic
The Long Arm of Maternal Incarceration: Indirect Associations with Children’s Social–Emotional Development
Right to “Life”: The Cruel Contradiction of Exceptions to the Death Penalty for Pregnant People
The death penalty debate intensifies when condemned women are considered, at least in part because of the associations society holds between womanhood and motherhood. Consequently, the concept of motherhood inherently permeates every condemned woman's sentence. Using qualitative document analysis, we examine how pregnancy is accounted for in the death penalty statutes and execution protocols. In half of U.S. states, exceptions exist in the statut…
Psychology (31 works) · Medicine (27 works) · Child Abuse and Trauma (20 works) · Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis (19 works) · Criminology (15 works) · Developmental psychology (14 works) · Nursing (14 works) · Political science (14 works) · Prison (14 works) · Psychiatry (13 works)