Perception of Fatherhood and Self-Esteem Among Incarcerated Fathers After Participation in an Adlerian Parenting Training

Abstract

Many incarcerated individuals experience harm to their identity as fathers upon entry to prison, and a decrease in their self-esteem. This field research examined changes in fatherhood perceptions and self-esteem among 109 incarcerated fathers across six prisons. Participants were divided into two groups: an intervention group (n = 59) receiving Adlerian parenting training, and a comparison group (n = 50) engaged in alternative educational activities. Each intervention comprised 12 weekly sessions over 3 months. Data was gathered using pre-post questionnaires to measure changes from the beginning to the end of the intervention period. The findings indicate that both research groups experienced increase in perception of fatherhood and self-esteem between the beginning and end of the study (p < .001); however, the improvement observed in the Adlerian group was significantly greater than that in the comparison group. These findings are important, because the perception of fatherhood and parental self-esteem greatly influence the relations between fathers and their children. The findings stress the need for Adlerian groups for parenting training in prison as this may have positive implications for successful familial and social reintegration and may reduce recidivism and intergenerational cycles of incarceration.

Plain language summary

A parenting program based on the ideas of psychologist Alfred Adler helps incarcerated fathers improve their self-esteem and view of fatherhood

When people go to prison, their sense of who they are, especially as parents, can be deeply affected. Many fathers behind bars report feeling disconnected from their role as a dad, and their self-esteem often drops. This study looked at whether participating in a special parenting group could help incarcerated fathers feel more confident in their parenting and better about themselves overall. The study involved 109 fathers in prison. One group of 59 fathers took part in a parenting program based on the ideas of psychologist Alfred Adler, which focuses on respect, encouragement, and responsibility in relationships. This group talked about parenting challenges, shared personal stories, and practiced new ways of relating to their children through games and role-play. The other group of 50 fathers participated in general educational programs unrelated to parenting. Before and after the programs, both groups filled out surveys measuring how they viewed themselves as fathers and how they felt about themselves in general. While both groups showed improvement, the fathers in the Adler-based parenting group improved significantly more than those in the general education group. This research matters because how a father sees himself, as a parent and as a person, can strongly affect his relationship with his children. Positive changes in these areas may help fathers reconnect with their families and prepare for life after prison. Stronger family ties can reduce the chances of returning to prison and may also break negative cycles that affect children and future generations. Offering parenting programs that support fathers emotionally and practically can benefit not only the men themselves, but also their children, families, and the wider community. These findings suggest that using group-based, respectful, and interactive parenting approaches in prisons may be a valuable investment in stronger families and safer societies.