1. Objectifs

Intentions :
«The present study examined maternal psychological distress, maternal PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder] symptoms, and maternal dissociation as potential mediators of the relationship between maternal CSA [child sexual abuse] and children’s internalizing, externalizing, and dissociation symptoms in a large sample of sexually abused children.» (p. 6)

Questions/Hypothèses :
«[I]t was hypothesized that maternal history of CSA would be associated with increased maternal psychological distress, PTSD symptoms, and dissociation following children’s CSA, and that these increased mental health difficulties would in turn be associated with increased child internalizing, externalizing, and dissociation symptoms.» (p. 6)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
«This study used secondary analysis of data on a sample of 997 sexually abused children aged 3-14 years old (at the time of their participation) and their biological mothers. Participants were recruited by the second author over an 18-year period as part of several research projects at five specialized intervention centers offering services to sexually abused children and their families.» (p. 6)

Instruments :
Questionnaire

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

«Results were generally in line with [the] hypotheses and reflected the roles of maternal psychological distress and dissociation in the association between maternal CSA and all three child outcomes. However, mothers’ level of PTSD symptoms was a mediator only for child internalizing symptoms. [The] results are consistent with previous studies showing that mothers with a history of CSA show higher levels of mental health distress following their child’s disclosure than mothers with no history of CSA […]. Given the long-term consequences of CSA on survivors, mothers with a history of CSA might be more vulnerable from the get-go […]. Consistent with the CPTSD [Complex Post-traumatic Stress] model, they are at increased risk of impairment […]. For these vulnerable mothers, learning about their child’s sexual abuse could overwhelm their adaptive capacities and represent a major trigger of difficult memories and symptoms, leading to suboptimal coping mechanisms such as dissociation […]. Unfortunately, these increased mental health difficulties in sexually abused mothers appear to be associated with maladaptive outcomes in their sexually abused children. More specifically, increased maternal psychological distress and dissociation were associated with more internalizing, externalizing, and dissociation symptoms in children as reported by the mothers. Mothers with higher levels of distress and dissociation could be less emotionally available to support their child following the CSA.» (p. 14-15)