A comparison of intrafamilial and extrafamial sexual abuse of children and adolescents with mothers' previous trauma histories and attachment security within themselves and with healthy controls

Objective: Sexual abuse towards a child is one of the most significant traumas that affects psychological devolepment of childhood. Its negative effects can be seen throughout life and transferred to next generations. The aim of this study is to define individual differences between intra and extra- familial sexual abuse children and their mothers' attachment security, parenting styles, previous childhood traumas and family functioning and also to determine risk factors related to sexual abuse. Methods: The sample of this study consist of 60 children, adolescents and their mothers that were followed by Child and Adolescent Psychiaty Clinic of Dokuz Eylul University Medical Faculty and 60 children, adolescent and their mothers who have no psychiatric admission and no history of sexual abuse. Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Age Children – Present and Lifetime Verison ( K-SADS-PL) was applied to sexual abuse group for diagnosis. Other data of the study was collected by using sociodemografic data form, Parental Attitude Questionnaire for children and adolescents, Parental Bonding Instrument ( PBI), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire ( CTQ) and Family Assessment Device ( FAD) for mothers. T-test, chi-square, One-way ANOVA and binary logistic regression analysis were used for statistical analysis of the data. Results: In this study, compared to the control group, percentage of neglect or abuse in mothers of sexually abused children and adolescent determined by CTQ were found higher and their secure attachment scores determined by PBI were found lower. According to the parent attitude styles determined by Parental Attitude Questionnaire, intra- familial and extra familial sexual abused children's parent attitude were found less democratic and more protective and authoriterian. FAD sub-scale scores were found significantly higher in sexual abuse group. In sexual abuse group, compared to mothers who don't have a history of sexual abuse, mothers who were sexually abused during their childhood have lower PBI scores, lower parental democratic scores and according to CTQ they have higher percentage of other abuse and neglect during childhood. Conclusion: When assessing children or adolescents who are victims of sexual abuse, it is important to determine preparatory factors, especially mother's own childhood traumas. Participation of both mother and child in therapy might be the first step to break the negative effects of generationally transferred trauma. Key words: Sexual abuse in children, childhood traumas of mothers, attachment security of mothers, family functionality, parenting styles