The impact of maternal history and behavior upon foster placement and adjustment in sexually abused girls

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of the nonoffending mother's childhood history and current functioning upon the psychological status and placement decisions for 68 sexually abused girls. Maternal history of abuse and/or poor childhood attachment relationships were significantly related to current maternal substance abuse. Maternal substance abuse and dissatisfaction with social support were significantly associated with lack of maternal support to the child and more abuse incidents, which in turn were related to more sexual abuse-related symptomatology and placement in foster care. The findings are congruent with studies indicating that intergenerational transmission of abuse is not inevitable, and suggest that maternal substance abuse and social isolation are important mediating variables between maternal history of sexual abuse and response to the abused child. The findings suggest that interventions targeted to the nonoffending mothers may be important in reducing child dysfunction and placement in foster care in the aftermath of sexual abuse.