Citation

Plummer CA, Eastin J. Violence Against Women 2007; 13(10): 1053-1071.

Affiliation

School of Social Work, Louisiana State University, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1077801207305931

PMID

17898240

Abstract

In alleged sexual abuse cases, the mother's efforts to provide a protective environment, including detecting signs of abuse and providing support subsequent to abuse, are critical to the child's well-being. This qualitative study, using two focus groups with 10 participants, examines changes in the mother/child relationship after disclosures of sexual abuse of preschoolers. Mother/child relationships were affected by suspicions and discovery of child sexual abuse in the following categories: interference of investigators, behavior problems in the child, parental exhaustion from increased demands, and parenting insecurity. Suggestions for further research and intervention implications are discussed.

Language: en