Open AccessIncarcerated Black men’s restrictive emotionality: The influence of parental closeness and childhood abuse.
Author(s) -
Shemeka Thorpe,
Candice N. Hargons,
Jardin Dogan,
Shawndaya Thrasher,
Danelle StevensWatkins
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
psychology of men and masculinity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.005
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1939-151X
pISSN - 1524-9220
DOI - 10.1037/men0000342
Subject(s) - psychology , closeness , emotionality , developmental psychology , hostility , sexual abuse , population , psychological abuse , intervention (counseling) , clinical psychology , poison control , injury prevention , psychiatry , medicine , mathematical analysis , mathematics , environmental health
Black men are often socialized to limit their emotional expression, which can lead to negative relationships and emotional health outcomes. Yet, little is known about how childhood experiences influence their emotional restrictiveness in adulthood. This study examined the relationship between parental closeness, childhood abuse, and restricted emotionality among 183 Black incarcerated men nearing release. Findings conclude men who reported having a closer relationship with their parents had lower emotional restrictiveness than men who did not. Men who reported childhood sexual abuse by two people reported more restricted emotionality than their non-abused counterparts. Implications for programming, intervention and prevention strategies are discussed.