NCJ Number
191112
Journal
Child Maltreatment Volume: 6 Issue: 4 Dated: November 2001 Pages: 365-375
Date Published
November 2001
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study examined attachment behaviors, depression, and anxiety in nonoffending mothers of child sexual abuse victims.
Abstract
The objective was to determine the psychological well-being and attachment behavior of nonoffending mothers of child sexual abuse victims (CSAVs). This is significant because it is the mothers who most often provide support for young child victims. Two sets of data on maternal depression, state and trait anxiety, and Ainsworth’s maternal attachment behaviors were analyzed. The first set of data compared 38 mothers of CSAVs based on the presence or absence of maternal history of abuse. The second set of data compared, from the original 38 mothers of CSAVs, 27 mothers to a matched group of mothers of nonabused children. Children in both data sets were 6 to 48 months old. Results showed that, in the first data set, there were no significant differences in depression, anxiety, and attachment behaviors based on mothers’ personal history of abuse. However, in the second data set, mothers of CSAVs had heightened levels of depression and anxiety and diminished maternal attachment behaviors. It was concluded that the mother’s ability to comply with all the provisions of a treatment plan for the child’s recovery and to enhance her young child’s psychological well-being and safety could be impaired if she was experiencing depression, anxiety, and diminished maternal attachment behaviors. Initial inquiry about the well being of the mother should be standard practice in CSAV cases. 2 tables, 47 references