The cumulative burden borne by offspring whose mothers were sexually abused as children: descriptive results from a multigenerational study

Abstract

This multigenerational study empirically demonstrates the extent to which offspring whose parents experienced childhood abuse are at increased risk of being abused or neglected. Females with substantiated childhood sexual abuse and non abused comparison females were assessed at six points spanning 18 years in a prospective, longitudinal study. Non abusing parents or caregivers and offspring were also assessed. Descriptive results indicate that offspring born to mothers with histories of sexual abuse were more likely to be born preterm, have a teenage mother, and be involved in protective services. Abused mothers were more likely to be high-school dropouts, be obese, and have experienced psychiatric problems, substance dependence, and domestic violence. Results provide evidence for the advantages of intervention and prevention programs for victims of childhood maltreatment and their families. Primary prevention/intervention efforts extending throughout development and focusing on the cumulative risk to offspring will likely improve victim outcomes and curtail intergenerational transmission of adversity.

Figure 1. Multigeneration Study Flow of the Original Sample (G2) and Their Offspring (G3)

Figure 2. Third-generation lifelines with transgenerational risk-factors plotted for G3 offspring born to G2 mothers who were sexually abused in childhood (OA)

Note: The average number of risks and the weighted average were both significantly different across the two groups of offspring; those born to abused mothers (OA), and those born to comparison mothers (OC), F(1, 129) = 5.89; p < .05 and F(1, 129) = 8.67; p < .01, respectively. Age, minority status, gender, and sibling number (0–3) were covaried in each analysis. Dep = depression; Vict = victimization; Viol = violence; PTSD = posttraumatic stress disorder; CPS = child protective services. N = 78; average risks = 6.23 (SD = 3.14); weighted average = 9.21 (SD = 4.17).

Figure 3. Third-generation lifelines with transgenerational risk-factors plotted for the comparison group of G3 offspring (OC)

Note: The average number of risks and the weighted average were both significantly different across the two groups of offspring; those born to abused mothers (OA), and those born to comparison mothers (OC) F(1, 129) = 5.89; p < .05 and F(1, 129) = 8.67; p < .01, respectively. Age, minority status, gender, and sibling number (0–3) were covaried in each analysis. Dep = depression; Vict = victimization; Viol = violence; CPS = child protective services; PTSD = posttraumatic stress disorder. N = 57; average risks = 3.88 (SD = 2.11); weighted average = 5.77 (SD = 3.41).