The research also sought to assess the relationship of the mothers' histories to the nature of the child's victimization. The children were 6-12 years of age. Seventy- two percent were female. Sixteen mothers reported having been sexually abused in children. The children were followed at three points up to a year's interval after disclosure to assess the victimization experiences, changing psychiatric symptoms, life stresses, and family structure. Maternal and child psychiatric symptoms were assessed using the Brief Symptom Inventory, Child Behavior Checklist, Revised Manifest Anxiety Scale, and Children's Depression Inventory. Findings revealed significant differences between mothers who had experienced abuse and those who had not. The children of abused mothers experienced more serve abuse that was more often intrafamilial. Their psychiatric response profiles also revealed no declines over time. The duration of the mothers victimization in childhood was strongly associated with the perpetrator's use of force on the child. Findings indicated that the diagnosis and treatment of child sexual abuse should reflect recognition that mothers' child sexual abuse experiences are associated both with the nature of their children's abuse experiences and with their own responses to the disclosure of these experiences. Tables and 57 references