Predictors of parenting satisfaction and efficacy were examined in a sample of 102 mothers of children who disclosed sexual abuse within the previous 12 months. Parenting satisfaction was predicted by conduct behavior problems exhibited by the child, social support from friends, and the use of approach coping strategies. Parenting efficacy was predicted by age of the child and conduct and sexual behavior problems exhibited by the child. Maternal history of child sexual abuse was not related to parenting satisfaction or efficacy. Results are discussed in relation to a stress-coping model of understanding mothers during the postdisclosure period.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Achenbach, T. M.
, & Edelbrock, C. S. (1983). Manual for the Child Behavior Checklist and Revised Child Behavior Profile. Burlington, VT: University of Vermont.
2.
Achenbach, T. M.
, McConaughy, S. H., & Howell, C. T. (1987). Child/adolescent behavioral and emotional problems: Implications of cross-informant correlations for situational specificity. Psychological Bulletin, 101, 213-232.
3.
Adamakos, H.
, Ryan, K., Ullman, D. G., Pascoe, J., Diaz, R., & Chessare, J. (1986). Maternal social support as a predictor of mother-child stress and stimulation. Child Abuse & Neglect, 10, 463-470.
4.
Atkinson, L.
, Scott, B., Chisholm, V., Blackwell, J., Dickens, S., Tam, F., & Goldberg, S. (1995). Cognitive coping, affective distress, and maternal sensitivity: Mothers of children with Down Syndrome. Developmental Psychology, 31, 668-676.
5.
Beitchman, J. H.
, Zucker, K. J., Hood, J. E., daCosta, G. A., & Akman, D. (1991). A review of the short-term effects of child sexual abuse. Child Abuse & Neglect, 15, 537-556.
6.
Belsky, J.
(1984). The determinants of parenting: A process model. Child Development, 55, 83-96.
7.
Billings, A. G.
, & Moos, R. H. (1981). The role of coping responses and social resources in attenuating the stress of life events. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 4, 139-157.
8.
Browne, A.
, & Finkelhor, D. (1986). Impact of child sexual abuse: A review of the research. Psychological Bulletin, 99, 66-77.
9.
Burkett, L. P.
(1991). Parenting behaviors of women who were sexually abused as children in their families of origin. Family Process, 30, 421-434.
10.
Carveth, W. B.
, & Gottlieb, B. H. (1979). The measurement of social support and its relation to stress. Canadian Journal of Behavioral Science, 11, 179-188.
11.
Cochran, M. M.
, & Brassard, J. A. (1979). Child development and personal social networks. Child Development, 50, 601-616.
12.
Cohen, T.
(1995). Motherhood among incest survivors. Child Abuse & Neglect, 19, 1423-1429.
13.
Cole, P. M.
, & Woolger, C. (1989). Incest survivors: The relation of their perceptions of their parents and their own parenting attitudes. Child Abuse & Neglect, 13, 409-416.
14.
Cole, P. M.
, Woolger, C., Power, T. G., & Smith, K. D. (1992). Parenting difficulties among adult survivors of father-daughter incest. Child Abuse & Neglect, 16, 239-249.
15.
Conners, C. K.
(1990). Conners' rating scales manual. Toronto, Canada: Multi-Health Systems.
16.
Conte, J. R.
, & Berliner, L. (1988). The impact of sexual abuse on children: Empirical findings. In L.E.A. Walker (Ed.), Handbook on sexual abuse of children: Assessment and treatment issues (pp. 72-93). New York: Springer Publishing Company.
17.
Crnic, K. A.
, Greenberg, M. T., Robinson, N. M., & Ragozin, A. S. (1984). Maternal stress and social support: Effects on the mother-infant relationship from birth to eighteen months. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 54, 224-235.
18.
Davies, M. G.
(1995). Parental distress and ability to cope following disclosure of extra-familial sexual abuse. Child Abuse & Neglect, 19, 399-408.
19.
Deblinger, E.
, Stauffer, L., & Landsberg, C. (1994). The impact of a history of child sexual abuse on maternal response to allegations of sexual abuse concerning her child. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 3, 67-75.
20.
DeVoss, J. A.
, & Newlon, B. J. (1986). Support groups for parents of sexually victimized children. The School Counselor, 34, 51-56.
21.
Esparza, D.
(1993). Maternal support and stress response in sexually abused girls ages 6-12. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 14, 85-107.
22.
Everson, M. D.
, Hunter, W. N., Runyon, D. K., Edelsohn, G. A., & Coulter, M. L. (1989). Maternal support following disclosure of incest. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 59, 197-207.
23.
Faller, K. C.
(1988). The myth of the collusive mother: Variability in the functioning of mothers of victims of intrafamilial sexual abuse. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 3, 190-196.
24.
Finkelhor, D.
(1979). Sexually victimized children. New York: Free Press.
25.
Friedrich, W. N.
(1979). Predictors of the coping behavior of mothers of handicapped children. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 47, 1140-1141.
26.
Friedrich, W. N.
(1991). Mothers of sexually abused children: An MMPI study. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 47, 778-783.
27.
Friedrich, W. N.
, Urquiza, A. J., & Beilke, R. L. (1986). Behavioral problems in sexually abused young children. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 11, 47-57.
28.
Goyette, C. H.
, Conners, C. K., & Ulrich, R. F. (1978). Normal data on revised Conners Parent and Teachers Rating Scales. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 6, 221-236.
29.
Griest, D. L.
, Forehand, R., Wells, K. C., & McMahon, R. J. (1980). An examination of differences between nonclinic and behavior-problem clinic-referred children and their mothers. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 89, 497-500.
30.
Hiebert-Murphy, D.
(1998). Emotional distress among mothers whose children have been sexually abused: The role of a history of child sexual abuse, social support, and coping. Child Abuse & Neglect, 22, 423-435.
31.
Holahan, C. J.
, & Moos, R. H. (1986). Personality, coping, and family resources in stress resistance: A longitudinal analysis. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51, 389-395.
32.
Holahan, C. J.
, & Moos, R. H. (1987). Risk, resistance, and psychological distress: A longitudinal analysis with adults and children. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 96, 3-13.
33.
Holahan, C. J.
, & Moos, R. H. (1991). Life stressors, personal and social resources, and depression: A 4-year structural model. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 100, 31-38.
34.
Holloway, S. D.
, & Machida, S. (1991). Child-rearing effectiveness of divorced mothers: Relationship to coping strategies and social support. Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, 14, 179-201.
35.
Jennings, K. D.
, Stagg, V., & Connors, R. E. (1991). Social networks and mothers' interactions with their preschool children. Child Development, 62, 966-978.
36.
Johnston, C.
, & Mash, E. J. (1989). A measure of parenting satisfaction and efficacy. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 18, 167-175.
37.
Kelley, S. J.
(1990). Parental stress response to sexual abuse and ritualistic abuse of children in day-care centers. Nursing Research, 39, 25-29.
38.
Kendall-Tackett, K. A.
, Williams, L. M., & Finkelhor, D. (1993). Impact of sexual abuse on children: A review and synthesis of recent empirical studies. Psychological Bulletin, 113, 164-180.
39.
Kessler, R. C.
, Price, R. H., & Wortman, C. B. (1985). Social factors in psychopathology: Stress, social support, and coping processes. Annual Review of Psychology, 36, 531-572.
40.
Koeske, G. F.
, & Koeske, R. D. (1990). The buffering effect of social support on parental stress. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 60, 440-451.
41.
Manion, I. G.
, McIntyre, J., Firestone, P., Ligezinska, M., Ensom, R., & Wells, G. (1996). Secondary traumatization in parents following the disclosure of extrafamilial child sexual abuse: Initial effects. Child Abuse & Neglect, 11, 1095-1109.
42.
Mash, E. J.
, & Johnston, C. (1983a). Parental perceptions of child behavior problems, parenting self-esteem, and mothers' reported stress in younger and older hyperactive and normal children. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 51, 86-99.
43.
Mash, E. J.
, & Johnston, C. (1983b). The prediction of mothers' behavior with their hyperactive children during play and task situations. Child and Family Behavior Therapy, 5, 1-14.
44.
Mash, E. J.
, Johnston, C., & Kovitz, K. (1983). A comparison of the mother-child interactions of physically abused and non-abused children during play and task situations. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 12, 337-346.
45.
Moos, R. H.
(1988). Life stressors and coping resources influence health and well-being. Psychological Assessment, 4, 133-158.
46.
Moos, R. H.
(1990). Coping Responses Inventory manual. Palo Alto, CA: Stanford University and Veterans Administration Medical Centers.
47.
Newberger, C. M.
, Gremy, I. M., Waternaux, C. M., & Newberger, E. H. (1993). Mothers of sexually abused children: Trauma and repair in longitudinal perspective. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 63, 92-102.
48.
Pascoe, J. M.
, & Earp, J. (1984). The effects of mothers' social support and life changes on the stimulation of their children in the home. American Journal of Public Health, 74, 358-360.
49.
Pearlin, L. I.
, & Schooler, C. (1978). The structure of coping. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 19, 2-21.
50.
Peterson, P.
(1984). Effects of moderator variables in reducing stress outcome in mothers of children with handicaps. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 28, 337-344.
51.
Pineo, P. C.
(1984). Revisions of the Pineo-Porter-McRoberts socioeconomic classification of occupations for the 1981 census. Unpublished manuscript.
52.
Powell, D. R.
(1980). Personal social networks as a focus for primary prevention of child maltreatment. Infant Mental Health Journal, 1, 232-239.
53.
Regehr, C.
(1990). Parental responses to extrafamilial child sexual assault. Child Abuse & Neglect, 14, 113-120.
54.
Reis, J.
, Orme, J. G., Barbera-Stein, L., & Herz, E. J. (1987). A multidimensional inventory for assessment of parental functioning. Evaluation and Program Planning, 10, 149-157.
55.
Rodrigue, J. R.
, Geffken, G. R., Clark, J. E., Hunt, F., & Fishel, P. (1994). Parenting satisfaction and efficacy among caregivers of children with diabetes. Children's Health Care, 23, 181-191.
56.
Salzinger, S.
, Kaplan, S., & Artemyeff, C. (1983). Mothers' personal social networks and child maltreatment. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 92, 68-76.
57.
Sirles, E. A.
, & Franke, P. J. (1989). Factors influencing mothers' reactions to intrafamily sexual abuse. Child Abuse & Neglect, 13, 131-139.
58.
Statistics Canada
. (1981). Standard occupational classification 1980. Ottawa, Canada: Minister of Supply and Services Canada.
59.
Timmons-Mitchell, J.
, Chandler-Holtz, D., & Semple, W. E. (1996). Post-Traumatic stress symptoms in mothers following children's reports of sexual abuse: An exploratory study. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 66, 463-467.
60.
Turner, R. J.
, Frankel, G., & Levin, D. M. (1983). Social support: Conceptualization, measurement, and implications for mental health. Research in Community and Mental Health, 3, 67-111.
61.
Vitaliano, P. P.
, Maiuro, R. D., Russo, J., & Becker, J. (1987). Raw versus relative scores in the assessment of coping strategies. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 10, 1-18.
62.
Wagner, W. G.
(1991). Depression in mothers of sexually abused vs. mothers of nonabused children. Child Abuse & Neglect, 15, 99-104.
63.
Wyckoff, P.
, & Erickson, M. T. (1987). Mediating factors of stress on mothers of seriously ill, hospitalized children. Children's Health Care, 16, 4-12.
