NCJ Number
123732
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 5 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1990) Pages: 229-246
Date Published
1990
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This community study uses multivariate analyses to examine demographic victim characteristics and circumstances of assault as predictors of reactions to sexual assault among male and female respondents. The sample of 3132 adults came from two Los Angeles mental health catchment areas.
Abstract
The results show that of the 15 emotional and behavioral reactions, anger, sadness, and anxiety were the most often reported, with fear being the most persistent reaction and anger the most common. Reactions are most concisely described by factors of sexual distress, fear/anxiety, and depression. The assault reaction factors were associated with the assault circumstances rather than the demographic and ethnic characteristics of the respondents. Younger age at assault, greater physical threat, and greater probability of intercourse were the three significant predictors of sexual distress. Assailant use of physical threat was a predictor of fear/anxiety, and depression was more prevalent among individuals whose assaults resulted in intercourse. Negative reactions are highly prevalent among women and, for most reactions, significantly less among men. 3 tables, 1 appendix, 46 references. (Author abstract modified)