THE IMPACT OF MATERNAL HISTORY AND BEHAVIOR UPON FOSTER PLACEMENT ANDADJUSTMENT IN SEXUALLY ABUSED GIRLS

This study investigated the impact of the nonoffending mother's childh ood 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 significantl y related to current maternal substance abuse. Maternal substance abus e and dissatisfaction with social support were significantly associate d with lack of maternal support to the child and more abuse incidents; which in turn were related to more sexual abuse-related symptomatolog y and placement in foster care. The findings are congruent with studie s indicating that intergenerational transmission of abuse is not inevi table, and suggest that maternal substance abuse and social isolation are important mediating variables between maternal history of sexual a buse and response to the abused child. The findings suggest that inter ventions targeted to the nonoffending mothers may be important in redu cing child dysfunction and placement in foster care in the aftermath o f sexual abuse.