Perceptions of Maternal Support as Related to Self-Concept and Self-Report of Depression in Sexually Abused Female Adolescents

• NCJ Number: 174045
• Journal: Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Dated: 1998 Pages: 23-40
• Author(s): N C Morrison; J Clavenna-Valleroy
• Date Published: 1998
• Length: 18 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study evaluated the relationship between perceptions of maternal support, self-concept, and depression in a sample of 50 female sexually abused adolescents who ranged in age from 11 to 18 years of age and were in treatment.

Abstract

The setting for the study was a sexual trauma inpatient unit in an urban medical center. Questionnaires were completed by the sexually abused girls and their mothers at three time points: within 48 hours of the beginning of treatment, at the termination of treatment, and at follow-up 3 months later. Instruments assessed levels of self-concept, symptoms of depression, and perceptions of maternal support. Results showed adolescent girls who perceived their mothers as supportive had higher self-concept scores and fewer symptoms of depression after treatment and at follow-up when compared to adolescents who perceived their mothers as non-supportive. A definition of support was developed, based on both daughter and mother perceptions. 22 references, 1 table, and 1 figure