Abstract
The aim of the study was to understand why the dynamic of sexual abuse is perpetuated across successive generations. A qualitative analysis was conducted on therapy session transcripts and diaries written during the therapy of 24 mothers who were survivors of incest, and whose children were the victims of incest. Four types of mothers were defined: the Unaware mother, characterized by a complete lack of cognitive knowledge of the sexual abuse occurring in her home; the Unwitting Accomplice, characterized by latent cooperation with the sexual abuse perpetrated by her husband; the Enabler, characterized by overtly or covertly encouraging her spouse in the raping of her daughter; and the Common Fate mother, characterized by sharing a common fate with her daughters.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 75-101 |
| Number of pages | 27 |
| Journal | Journal of Child Sexual Abuse |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 10 May 2006 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Intergenerational transmission
- Motherhood
- Mothers
- Sexual abuse
- Types of motherhood
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Pathology and Forensic Medicine
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychiatry and Mental health
