NCJ Number
204333
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 25 Issue: 3 Dated: March 2001 Pages: 369-387
Date Published
March 2001
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the possible effects of childhood victimization on the later child-rearing practices of adult female survivors of child sexual abuse.
Abstract
This study examined hypothesized predictors of three parenting styles among adult survivors of sexual abuse as compared with adult children of alcoholic parents. Rates of authoritarian, authoritative, and permissive practices reported by mothers in this sample were compared with those of mothers in a community sample of 717. Two variables were used as covariates to further isolate unique correlates of sexual abuse: childhood physical abuse and adult socioeconomic status (SES). Forty-five clinical outpatients completed a questionnaire battery assessing their experiences. The results show that both sexual abuse survivors and children of alcoholics reported significantly higher rates of permissive parenting practices than mothers in the community sample. There were unique relationships between sexual abuse and parenting, over and above the variance explained by physical abuse, current SES, and the experience of growing up in an alcoholic home. Mothers’ sexual abuse severity, social support satisfaction, and dysfunctional parenting attitudes moderated several of these relationships. Sexual abuse severity was associated with diminished social support satisfaction, and social support satisfaction was positively related to authoritative parenting. Sexual abuse and its adult sequelae may have negative consequences for the parenting practices of survivors, particularly for survivors’ ability to provide their children with appropriate structure, consistent discipline, and clear behavioral expectations. Research is needed to directly assess the adjustment and needs of children of abuse survivors; and to determine the consequences of these practices for the children of abuse survivors. 2 tables, 63 references