[Profiles of mothers of sexually abused children : mental health, stress and adaptation.].
This study examines the emotional reactions of 118 mothers after the disclosure of the sexual assault of their child. After tracing a portrait of these mothers, the study attempts to determine the importance of the psychological symptoms and identify psychosocial factors likely to influence them. Results show that mothers present various configurations of psychological symptoms and that many experience distress exceeding the clinical treshold. The presence of these symptoms is specifically associated to a limited number of psychosocial factors. The discussion highlights the importance of distress experienced by mothers of sexually abused children and the support they need from professional health workers to deal with the situation.
Cyr
M
M
McDuff
P
P
Wright
J
J