PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILES OF RAPE CRISIS COUNSELORS

• NCJ Number: 52792
• Journal: Psychological Reports Volume: 40 Issue: 3-2 Dated: (JUNE 1977) Pages: 1127-1134
• Author(s): C L BEST; D G KILPATRICK
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 8 pages
• Corporate Author: Psychological Reports
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: EARLIER VERSION OF THIS PAPER WAS PRESENTED AT A SYMPOSIUM ENTITLED 'PERSPECTIVES ON RAPE' OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SOUTHEASTERN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, MARCH 20, 1976

Annotation

THE PERSONALITIES OF 20 FEMALE COUNSELORS FROM A RAPE CRISIS CENTER ARE COMPARED WITH THE PERSONALITIES OF 14 PEDIATRIC NURSES MATCHED BY AGE AND EDUCATION.

Abstract

THE COUNSELORS ARE VOLUNTEERS FROM A RAPE CRISIS CENTER IN CHARLESTON, S.C. ALL HAVE COMPLETED A COUNSELOR TRAINING PROGRAM AND HAVE HAD FROM 4 TO 15 MONTHS OF COUNSELING EXPERIENCE. THEIR DUTIES INCLUDE COUNSELING RAPE VICTIMS AT HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOMS AND IN FOLLOWUP SESSIONS, ACCOMPANYING VICTIMS DURING POLICE INTERVIEWS, AND ATTENDING COURT PROCEEDINGS. THE SUBJECTS AND THE CONTROL GROUP COMPLETED 10 OBJECTIVE PERSONALITY TESTS. IN ADDITION, THE SUBJECTS HAD COMPLETED THE MINNESOTA MULTIPHASIC PERSONALITY INVENTORY DURING THEIR TRAINING. THE FINDINGS INDICATE THAT THE COUNSELORS ARE WELL ADJUSTED, OPEN MINDED, NONANXIOUS, RELATIVELY ASSERTIVE, PROFEMINIST PERSONS WHO, IN A GENERAL MOOD OF VIGOR AND ACTIVITY, SEEK OUT AND ENJOY NEW EXPERIENCES. IT APPEARS THAT THE CENTER HAS ATTRACTED VOLUNTEERS WHO SCORE IN A HIGHLY FAVORABLE DIRECTION ON A VARIETY OF MEASURES. THESE PERSONALITY VARIABLES MAY WELL BE IMPORTANT, AND OTHER CENTERS MIGHT WISH TO LOOK FOR SIMILAR CHARACTERISTICS IN PROSPECTIVE COUNSELORS. SUPPORTING DATA AND A LIST OF REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--LKM)