Effects of Postassault Exposure to Attack-Similar Stimuli on Long-Term Recovery of Victims

• NCJ Number: 108778
• Journal: Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology Volume: 55 Issue: 1 Dated: (1987) Pages: 10-16
• Author(s): P W Wirtz; A V Harrell
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 7 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ); US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Recent studies have suggested a classical conditioning explanation for the 'core of distress' symptom reported by rape victims that reportedly persists well after most other symptoms have subsided.

Abstract

The current study tested an extension of this theory to the long-term reactions of victims of domestic assault and nondomestic assault in addition to victims of rape. Level of long-term psychological distress was found to be strongly related to level of victim exposure to stimuli in the absence of a subsequent attack; long-term distress level was found to be unrelated to short-term distress level when controlling for level of exposure to attack-similar stimuli. Results suggest the tenability of a classical conditioning model of long-term psychological distress experienced by victims of the types of assault studied, thus highlighting the importance of situational variables in the recovery process. (Publisher abstract)