Family-of-origin characteristics and current family relationships of female adult incest victims

Questionnaire, scale, & psychological inventory data obtained from 40 adult women in the midwestern US in treatment for childhood incest experiences are drawn on to explore past & present family relationships. The majority viewed their families-of-origin as generally unhealthy in regard to various dimensions of autonomy & intimacy, & characterized their current relationships with their families-of-origin as less intimate & more intimidating, triangulated, & fused than a normed group (N = 1,125). Some of these patterns were also evident in the families-of-procreation of these women, particularly greater triangulation & less spousal intimacy. Ss also perceived their families-of-procreation as disengaged, controlling, less active in events outside the family, conflict-ridden, & lacking in organization & emotional expressiveness. A circumplex model reveals that a significant number of these families were in the extreme range of family functioning. Clinical implications are discussed, & suggestions offered for further research. 6 Tables, 43 References. Adapted from the source document.