Avery Hudman they/them

Working title of PhD: Is ignorance truly bliss? The effect on familial bonds from failed non-disclosure of familial imprisonment to their children.

Institution: University of Strathclyde

Year Commenced: 2024

Funding Source: University of Strathclyde

Full or Part-time: Full time

Supervisors: Cara Jardine and Laura Piacentini

Synopsis: 

Delving into the consequences of failed non-disclosure, exploring whether it leads to positive or negative outcomes. It scrutinises its impact on parent-child bonds and broader family dynamics. Despite the well-intentioned efforts to shield children from the truth about a family member’s imprisonment, such practices often lead to ‘ambiguous loss’, which is theorised to erode trust and complicate relationships.

The research questions are: Does failed non-disclosure lead to positive or negative outcomes for those involved? How does non-disclosure affect parent-child bonds and broader familial relationships? Considering different human rights frameworks, explore whether withholding information infringes on children’s rights.

Methodologically, the research employs a phenomenological approach to deeply examine the lived experiences of individuals who learned about familial imprisonment after the fact. Online semi-structured interviews with adults who were children at the time of their family member’s imprisonment. Participants will be selected using judgmental sampling. This targeted selection will be based on their experience of failed non-disclosure. Potentially collaborating with numerous charities and organisations will maximise access to this specific participant group.

The study will record and transcribe interviews and analyse them through manual coding, thereby identifying recurring themes and patterns in how non-disclosure impacts relationships. By focusing on lived experiences, the study aims to bridge the gap in current literature, offering insights into how transparency around familial imprisonment could better support children and families. This research could serve as a valuable resource for charities, policymakers, and advisors working with these families, helping to mitigate harms and foster stronger family connections.

Keywords: Familial imprisonment, Non-Disclosure, Parent child bonds