FEMALE INCEST SURVIVORS - CAREGIVING FOR AGING PARENTS

This exploratory study of adult female incest survivors examined their attitudes and practices regarding caregiving for their aging parents. In-depth interviews with 14 women revealed considerable conflict betw een internalized societal expectations about eldercare and the recover y process from childhood incest. The analysis identified five ''caregi ving avoidance'' strategies the women used to balance the opposing nee ds of their parents and their own recovery process: Determined Avoidan ce; Remote Caregiving; Restrained Support; No Touch Caregiving; and Di sengaged Caregiving. The data suggest that viewing the family system f rom a historical perspective allows professionals to better understand daughters' reluctance to provide eldercare.