Abstract

SUFREDINI, Francieli; MORE, Carmen Leontina Ojeda Ocampo  and  KRENKEL, Scheila. Coping strategies of mothers who had children sexually abused. Psicol. clin. [online]. 2021, vol.33, n.2, pp. 277-299. ISSN 0103-5665.  http://dx.doi.org/10.33208/PC1980-5438v0033n02A04.

Recognizing the coping strategies employed by the carers of sexually abused children and adolescents is a crucial factor for the victims' treatment. This qualitative study aims to identify coping strategies of mothers who had children sexually abused while under the assistance of public welfare services. Twelve mothers in a city in the Southern region of Brazil were interviewed. Data obtained was organized and analyzed by Grounded Theory principles, with Atlas-ti 7.0 software help, resulting in three major categories: (1) interpersonal coping strategies, emphasizing institutional network support; (2) child/adolescent-centered coping strategies, such as daily interaction with children; and (3) mother-centered coping strategies, such as religious beliefs, labor involvement, health self-care, isolation, avoidance and denial of the violence. It is important for professionals to understand the particularities of mothers' coping strategies, so they can properly assist all involved in the sexual abuse situation.

Keywords : sexual abuse; child abuse; coping; mothers.

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