Investigating the Health and Health-Related Quality of Life Impacts of the Criminal Legal System on Families: A Scoping Review

A scoping review was conducted to present the state of the science regarding the health and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) effects of having a family member in contact with the criminal legal system (CLS). The review examined how the following have been studied: 1) types of family relationships, 2) the point of CLS contact, 3) mental health outcomes, 4) physical health outcomes, and 5) HRQOL outcomes. The final sample of 40 studies was largely secondary analyses of datasets (93%; n=37) that investigated a parent -child relationship (78%; n=31). Incarceration was the most frequently measured point of CLS contact (85%; n=34). Mental health outcomes were measured in 68% of the studies (n=27). Physical health outcomes were measured in 28% of the studies (n=11). Health-related quality of life outcomes were included in half of the studies (50%; n=20). Study findings indicate exposure to the CLS through a family member is associated with poorer health and HRQOL outcomes.