Women as mothers and wives in paternally incestuous families: Coping with role conflict

Women as mothers and wives in paternally incestuous families: Coping with role conflict

Although role conflict is well recognized for women in general, it has not been explored for women who are mothers and wives in paternally incestuous families. This study sought to remedy that oversight by analyzing the data gleaned from indepth life history interviews with 20 women from paternally incestuous families who were just entering treatment. The women reported a moderate degree of conflict between their roles as mother and wife. Their strategies for coping with that conflict varied. Each described strategy was categorized according to the level of the role process at which it intervened, and was also evaluated in terms of its efficacy and its empowerment. The level of the coping strategy was somewhat, although not significantly, related to the duration of the paternal incest, and significantly related to its severity. The implications of these findings for the allegation of collusion made against women is discussed, and suggestions for therapeutic intervention with women from paternally incestuous families are presented.

Women, Mothers and wives, Incest, Role conflict