A study of victimized daughters' perceptions of mother-daughter dyads in incestuous families

Nugent, Roxanne Power (1982) A study of victimized daughters' perceptions of mother-daughter dyads in incestuous families. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

This qualitative-descriptive study reports data regarding the nature of mother-daughter relationships in seven incestuous families. The sample of seven girls (n=7) had all been confirmed victims of father-daughter incest. The sample were all involved in eight group psychotherapy sessions prior to exploration of the mother-daughter relationships. All of the sample were interviewed individually at the Department of Social Services, St. John’s, Newfoundland during November to December, 1981. The interview consisted of a questionnaire addressing four specific areas of the mother-daughter relationships: 1) affection between mother and daughter, 2) communication between mother and daughter, 3) conflict between mother and daughter and 4) mother’s reaction to incest disclosure. The questionnaire was a non-standardized measure with both open-ended and closed questions. – Analyses indicated that all seven girls were of adolescent age and most had been involved in lengthy and frequent sexual contact with their fathers. All of the families were dysfunctional and socially disruptive factors such as alcoholism, violence and promiscuity were frequent occurrences. Following incest disclosure four of the daughters were placed in foster homes while four of the parental couples remained living together. – Examination of the mother-daughter dyads revealed that there was general dissatisfaction among the daughters in their interactions with their mothers in the areas of communication, conflict and mother’s reaction to incest disclosure. – The study findings may have relevance to clinical intervention and treatment. The study indicated that more investigations of incestuous families are necessary in order to assess the nature of the mother-daughter relationship.

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