Stories from the Margins: A Case Study on the Emotional and Social Impact of Parental Incarceration in the Philippines

This holistic single-case study examined the lived experiences, coping strategies, challenges, and perceived impacts of parental incarceration among young adults in Midsayap, Cotabato—a community characterized by high incarceration rates and limited institutional support. Guided by Yin’s case study framework and employing a descriptive-qualitative design, three purposively selected participants aged 23 to 25, each a child of an incarcerated parent, were interviewed using an open-ended guide. Thematic analysis through template coding revealed that before incarceration, participants experienced family instability, financial hardship, and inconsistent caregiving. During incarceration, they faced stigma, disrupted education, economic strain, and premature assumption of adult responsibilities. Support was primarily obtained from relatives, peers, and faith-based networks, with minimal assistance from institutional or school-based sources. Coping mechanisms such as spirituality, peer reliance, cognitive reframing, and engagement in livelihood tasks fostered resilience, yet emotional distress and psychosocial strain persisted. Despite these challenges, participants demonstrated post-traumatic growth, maturity, and strengthened familial bonds. The study concludes that individuals with incarcerated parents experience intersecting vulnerabilities requiring systemic responses beyond familial coping. It recommends trauma-informed educational programs, accessible psychosocial and livelihood services, and community-based initiatives to reduce stigma and enhance resilience, underscoring the need for policies that safeguard the well-being of those affected by incarceration and address intergenerational disadvantage.