000			02835nam a2200349Ia 4500
001			111320
005			20250625151245.0
008			110331s2000 eng
040			_aWSS _dAFV
100			_aOlo-Whaanga, Epenesa _91836
245			_aResponding to mothers who are ambivalent about their child's disclosure of sexual abuse _cOlo-Whaanga, Epenesa
246			_aThesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology.
260			_c2000
300			_a113 p.
365			_a00 _b0
500			_aThesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology.
520			_aThis 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
522			_anz
650	2	7	_2FVC _aFAMILIES _9238
650	2	7	_2FVC _aINTERVENTION _9326
650	2	7	_2FVC _aJUSTICE _9333
650	2	7	_2FVC _aNEGLECT _9401
650	2	7	_2FVC _aOFFENDERS _9413
650	2	4	_aSOCIAL SERVICES _9555
650	2	7	_2FVC _aTHESES _9606
650	2	7	_2FVC _aTREATMENT _9613
650	2	7	_2FVC _aVICTIMS _9622
650	2	7	_9458 _aPREVENTION _2FVC
650	2	7	_9103 _aCHILD ABUSE _2FVC
650	2	4	_aSEXUAL VIOLENCE _9531
942			_2ddc _cTHESIS
999			_c3205 _d3205