ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ සිරගත දෙමාපියන්ගේ දරුවන්ගේ යහපැවැත්ම සහ සංවර්ධනය ප්‍රවර්ධනය කිරීම සඳහා සමාජ වැඩ උපාය මාර්ගවල ගවේෂණාත්මක විග්‍රහයක් - A Research-Based Analysis of Social Work Strategies to Promote the Well-Being and Development of Children of Incarcerated Parents in Sri Lanka

Children of incarcerated parents in Sri Lanka represent a highly vulnerable social group requiring significant attention regarding their well-being, development, and social support. This paper, grounded in Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, analytically explores social work strategies that can be implemented to promote the holistic well-being and development of these children. The imprisonment of a parent often leads to the breakdown of family relationships, economic instability, social stigma, and educational disparities, all of which adversely affect the psychosocial growth of the child. According to Bronfenbrenner’s theoretical framework, social workers can identify and intervene across multiple environmental levels that influence a child’s life, addressing the dynamic interactions within and between these systems. The study employs a qualitative approach, integrating data from semi-structured interviews with social workers and a literature review of existing interventions designed for children of incarcerated parents. Participants include professionals with direct experience in child welfare and those working closely with children of imprisoned parents. This study is expected to contribute to the field of social work and its future practice by providing evidence-based recommendations for interventions that enhance the emotional well-being of children affected by parental incarceration. Moreover, it aims to inform future policy development, guide social work practice, and advocate for the establishment of supportive systems and programs tailored to this marginalized group.