Award Date

5-1-2025

Degree Type

Doctoral Project

Degree Name

Occupational Therapy Doctorate

Department

Brain Health

First Committee Member

Donnamarie Krause

Second Committee Member

Sharon Jalene

Number of Pages

63

Abstract

This project was a group therapeutic writing (TW) workshop that was an addition to the existing program at Hope for Prisoners (HFP) to facilitate self-awareness of father-children relationship for fathers who are previously incarcerated. This doctoral capstone project assessed the impact of a group therapeutic writing workshop led by the occupational therapist capstone student on emotional awareness, self-reflection, and communication skills among previously incarcerated fathers. The program aimed at helping fathers who were incarcerated in rebuilding relationships with their children by enhancing confidence, self-awareness, and emotional expression. The four-week therapeutic writing program provided the emotional and relational needs of participants by promoting both emotional growth and supportive peer interactions through shared writing exercises. Participant feedback revealed that structured writing exercises allowed fathers to explore their emotions, reflect on their experiences, and express thoughts they may have struggled to communicate in the past. Challenges such as scheduling conflicts, parole restrictions, and emotional barriers impacted participation levels. Additionally, the age of their children played a role in relationship rebuilding, with older children demonstrating greater hesitation in reconnecting. This project highlighted the potential of TW as an intervention for formerly incarcerated fathers navigating the complexities of reentry and fatherhood. Future research should explore longer and more-in depth writing programs to further assess their effectiveness in strengthening father-child relationships and supporting successful reintegration.

Controlled Subject

Father and child; Families; Ex-convicts

Disciplines

Occupational Therapy

File Format

pdf

File Size

750 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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