A Three-Generational Study of Transmission of Risk for Sexual Abuse

Abstract

This intergenerational study investigates histories of both attachment relationships and abusive experiences and domains of current functioning that distinguish families of sexually abused children from families of nonabused children. The participants included (a) 199 nonoffending African American mothers of whom approximately half had children with documented sexual abuse histories and half had children with no documented abuse histories and (b) 106 maternal grandmothers of these children; approximately half had sexually abused grandchildren and half had grandchildren with no documented abuse. The children were 4 to 12 years old. Histories of abuse and attachment experiences and current functioning of the grandmother and mother were evaluated. Logistic regression analyses revealed that sexual abuse in a child was best predicted by 3 factors: maternal problems in adult functioning, a currently negative relationship between the grandmother and mother, and a disrupted pattern of caregiving during the mother's childhood. The findings underscore that troubled intergenerational attachment relationships in families can significantly heighten the risk of a child being sexually abused.

Non-offending mothers of sexually abused children: How they decide whom to believe

“…This is important to understand for both practice and research. In This intergenerational transmission of risk for violence and child maltreatment is increasingly explored in the literature (Alexander, 2009;Bowen, 2000;Kellogg & Menard, 2003;Leifer et al, 2004). Many of the women in this study experienced violence (directly or indirectly) in their families of origin and over half were physically and/or sexually abused as children.…”

“…Leifer, Kilbane, Jacobsen, and Grossman (2004) conducted a threegenerational study to investigate histories of attachment relationships and abuse experiences to determine any differences in families of sexually abused children that imply transmission of risk for sexual abuse. Their findings support three predictors of child sexual abuse and are specific to a child's mother: maternal problems in adult functioning; negative relationship between mother and grandmother; and a disrupted pattern of caregiving in mother's childhood.…”

“…My previous review of findings from multigenerational studies highlights the challenges for mothers who learn that their child has been sexually abused (Kim et al, 2007;Leifer et al, 2004) when they are victims of childhood trauma, too. These mothers may already be involved in negative and abusive adult relationships, facing problems associated with depression, anxiety, and/or substance abuse, while lacking the support of their own mothers or others, all of which are associated with prior traumatic experiences.…”

“…Moving beyond maternal, victim, perpetrator, or abuse characteristics as distinct variables, researchers are attempting a deeper and richer approach that a) considers the context within which the abuse occurs (Cyr, Wright, Toupin, Oxman-Martinez, McDuff, & Theriault, 2003) , b) follows participants over time (Kim, Noll, Putnam, & Trickett, 2007), c)accounts for additional victimizations , and d) highlights intergenerational risk and protective factors (Kim et al, 2007;Leifer, Kilbane, Jacobsen & Grossman, 2004) and the commonality of violence across generations (Bowen, 2000;Hamby, Finkelhor, Turner, & Ormrod, 2010;Kellogg & Menard, 2003).…”

Buklet sebagai Media Pencegahan terhadap Kekerasan Seksual pada Anak-anak

“…Korban anak cenderung pseudomature (kematangan palsu) dan banyak berperan seperti orang dewasa, misalnya melakukan pekerjaan rumah tangga. 14 Manifestasi klinis KSA ditunjukkan saat anak menceritakan kekerasan seksual yang dialami pertama kali kepada ibunya dan dibawa ke dokter pada saat itu. Apabila ibu tidak mempercayai anaknya, mereka tidak akan pergi ke dokter dan anak akan menunda bercerita lebih lanjut.…”