Molested Mommies When Incest Survivors Become Parents: A Qualitative Study

About the Book

The devastating issue of childhood sexual abuse has been well documented in the literature. This study discovered major themes that identified and explained the complex parenting role of the mother/incest survivor. Most studies concur about one-third of women and one-tenth of men in North America are sexually abused before their mid-teens. The vast majority of the research, however, has focused on an individualistic view of the victim, perpetrator, and non-offending spouse. Through in-depth interviews with incest survivors this book explored the relationships between members of the incestuous family system and in particular, the role of the incest survivor as a parent. The interactions between mother and child and the life experience of the mother that impacts on this relationship were examined. A qualitative research methodology was used to describe the meaning of parenting in the lives of incest survivors by systematically discovering, describing, and analyzing their beliefs, practices, and values.

About the Author