Date of Award:

5-2011

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Psychology

Committee Chair(s)

Mark S. Innocenti

Committee

Mark S. Innocenti

Committee

Lisa K. Boyce

Committee

Karl R. White

Abstract

This study was designed to empirically derive latent classes of mothers who were sexually abused during childhood and to assess the association between depression, alcohol/drug use, supportive intimate partner, and specific classes.

One hundred six women between the ages of 20 and 44 years (M = 27) who reported having been sexually abused during childhood (CSA) and 158 non-CSA mothers between the ages of 20 and 43 years (M = 23) were interviewed and assessed along six parenting dimensions. Logistic regression models evaluated the association between psychoemotional variables and specific classes.

The final model consisted of three classes—53.2%, 31.7%, and 15.2%. Alcohol/drug use was not statistically significantly associated with either class. Maternal depression and intimate partner support were differentially associated with the three parenting classes. Empirical support is provided for distinct classes of mothers sexually abused in childhood. The data-driven categorization of CSA mothers provides research and clinical directions for future parenting of survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

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049ef7e854d2bdf6158557ccada71eb7

Comments

This work made publicly available electronically on May 11, 2011.

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