Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology.

This research explores how some mothers may maintain a stance of ambivalence to their child's disclosure of sexual abuse in terms of their belief in the child's account, or their willingness to support and protect their child, or both. Such mothers pose particular difficulties for those staff charged with the responsibility for child protection. This qualitative research was carried out to explore the reasons why some mothers respond in this way, and how this may be influenced by child protection staff members' response to them. Two groups were interviewed: key informants who were experienced professionals working in the area; and a mother who was identified as having maintained an ambivalent response to her child's disclosure. The interviews were analysed using content analysis. It was found that factors that kept mothers from believing and supporting their child include: their initial reaction of shock, disbelief and shame; self-blame; a mother's relationship to the perpetrator; the relationship between the mother and the child; cultural influences; the nature of the disclosure; lack of knowledge about child sexual abuse; and a mother's history of victimisation. This research findings also identified helpful and unhelpful behaviours of professionals in aiding mothers to shift from ambivalence, to belief and support of their child. Key turning points were identified from interviews in which mothers shift from ambivalence to belief and support. These include a confession by the offender, evidence, provision of information and education, and support. Implications for professionals responding to mothers identified as ambivalent are given.--AUTHOR'S ABSTRACT

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