Abstract
The purpose of this study was to analyze the association between resilience and meaning in life, two positive psychology variables, and the depression, anxiety, and quality of life of the family members of individuals incarcerated in the United States correctional system. A final sample of 254 participants was analyzed in this study. Differences in means for depressive symptoms, generalized anxiety, quality of life, resilience, and meaning in life were analyzed for gender, race, and the relationship to the incarcerated individual. MANOVA analyses and simple linear regression analyses were conducted to test the hypotheses. Overall, resilience and meaning in life were associated with depressive symptoms, anxiety, and quality of life for the participants, with higher levels of resilience associated with better quality of life, lower levels of depression, and lower levels of anxiety; high presence of meaning in life associated with lower anxiety and higher quality of life; and finally, high search for meaning in life associated with higher generalized anxiety, higher depressive symptoms, though higher quality of life. The comparison of means analyses indicated differences in outcome measures based on which family member was incarcerated. In particular, those an incarcerated spouse/partner tended to have worse overall outcomes. Clinical implications include identifying strengths-based variables to help limit negative outcomes for family members of incarcerated persons. Limitations and future directions for research are also discussed.