NCJ Number
120988
Journal
Violence, the Family, and Society Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Dated: (July 1986) Pages: 15-35
Date Published
1986
Length
21 pages
Annotation
Based on interviews with 21 women with a past history of childhood or adolescent paternal incest, this study examines the characteristics, immediate and long-term after effects, and methods of adapting to father-daughter incest.
Abstract
The interview instrument solicited information on the subject's demographics; nuclear and extended family; sense of self and level of sexual knowledge prior to the onset of incest; and details of the incest, its aftermath, and the nature of disclosure. Content analysis and elementary descriptive statistics were the primary modes of analysis. Findings suggest that the female victim of paternal incest may endure more emotional, social, physical, self-identity, familial, and interpersonal difficulties during and shortly after the incest has been terminated. Relationships with men and sexuality were more adversely affected with time. Positive coping mechanisms of incest and factors contributing to the victims' adjustment to the incest were documented. Implications of findings for nursing practice and research are discussed. 1 table, 36 references. (Author abstract modified)