Parenting Stress in Prison Mothers: How Important is Patience?

Abstract

Prisoners who take care of children in women’s prison are very vulnerable to experiencing parenting stress due to limited space for movement, feelings of isolation, and contamination from other prisoners. For this reason, specific characteristics are needed in the inmates to reduce parenting stress, which creates psychological pressure through patience. Patience plays a role in self-control of negative emotions and behavior. This study aims to explore the dynamics of parenting stress and the patience of prisoner who take care of children in women’s prison. The research method used in this study is qualitative with a case study approach. Data collection techniques include interviews, observation, and documentation. The research subjects used were three inmates who took care of children in women’s prison. The data were analyzed using the qualitative data analysis model of Miles and Huberman. The results of the study show that the dynamics of parenting stress in inmates arise from aspects such as parents' stressful experiences, feelings of social isolation, parents' health, children's adaptability, and children's attachment to parents. The patience of inmates who care for children in women’s prison is to accept God's destiny, have good prejudices, be sincere, surrender, be grateful, be optimistic, and always protect, educate, and strengthen children.