AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN WHO SMOKE CRACK COCAINE - SEXUAL TRAUMA AND THE MOTHER-DAUGHTER RELATIONSHIP

This study evolved from previous writings that linked sexual abuse to the quality of the mother-daughter relationship. The purpose of this i nvestigation was to examine the mother-daughter relationship among Afr ican-American women who abuse crack cocaine by comparing three differe nt groups: women who have not experienced incest but have experienced sexual abuse; women who have experienced incest; and women who have no t experienced sexual abuse. A convenience sample of 64 African-America n women was used, 35 of whom were in drug abuse treatment and 29 of wh om were abusing crack cocaine. Using analysis of variance studies, sig nificant differences were found between the three groups in terms of t he mother-daughter relationship. Differences were also found between t he group that experienced incest and the group that experienced noninc estuous sexual abuse in terms of the amount of abuse and first age of abuse. This preliminary investigation indicates the need for further s tudy of specific populations in this area-most notably, African-Americ an women who abuse crack cocaine.