Rape Victims' Perceptions of Long-Term Effects Three or More Years Post-Rape (From The Victimology Handbook: Research Findings, Treatment, and Public Policy, P 21-3 1990, Emilio Viano, ed. -- See NCJ-126951)

• NCJ Number: 126953
• Author(s): M J Parks
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 17 pages
• Sale Source: Garland Publishing, Inc.
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

To obtain information on the long-term effects of rape on victims, this study interviewed 10 women who had been raped 3 or more years prior to the interviews.

Abstract

The individual interviews focused on changes each victim perceived in herself as a result of the rape, particularly in her relationships with men. The subjects described themselves and their perceptions of themselves in relation to men using the Interpersonal Checklist. The SCL-90-R, which measures symptomatic psychological distress, was also used in the interviews. Similarities between the subjects' statements and David Shapiro's description of the paranoid style were identified. The victims and an undergraduate comparison group held common views of males as dominant, powerful, and aggressive. The victims differed from the comparison group in viewing themselves as less affiliative in relation to men. The victims' highest score on the SCL-90-R was on the depression dimension. Regarding clinical implications of the findings, the study advises that the paranoid stance of some victims may be a realistic awareness of real-life risk possibilities, requiring adaptive behavior rather than elimination. Counselors should be aware that depression symptoms in a client may result from an unrevealed sexual assault. 6 tables and a 17-item bibliography (Author abstract modified)