Loneliness, Prosocial Relationships, and Recidivism in Long-Term Incarcerated Juveniles

Abstract

Prosocial bonds have been key in juvenile criminal desistance. Juvenile facility placement has resulted in deterioration of important prosocial supports and social isolation, increasing risk for recidivism. Loneliness has been increasingly prevalent in a facility setting, often leading to ongoing behavioral and health problems. Youth incarcerated longer than 1 year have experienced higher rates of physical and mental health challenges, lasting into adulthood. Lengthy juvenile incarceration impacts loneliness, postrelease prosocial relationships, and desistance implications have been underexplored. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore themes associated with reaffiliation motive, or lifelong problems resulting from loneliness, after experiencing youth incarceration longer than 1 year. The analytical process utilized was interpretive phenomenological analysis to understand the 8 participants’ cognitive processing of the unexplored phenomena. Research Question 1 was designed to explore lengthy youth incarceration, loneliness, and postrelease relationships. Research Question 2 was designed to explore these concepts in relation with desistance processes. Social maladaptation, institutionalization, stigmatization, identifying with prosocial support, antisocial peer dissociation, and loneliness were 6 overarching themes discovered. Therapy targeting social maladaptation, alternative rehabilitation efforts, and provision of relatable prosocial support systems for youth are recommended. Future research should focus on generalizability of findings applicable to diverse forensic populations. Findings may be used to promote positive social change for improving public safety, mitigating recidivism, and avoiding negative transgenerational effects of mass incarceration.