NCJ Number
123367
Journal
Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Dated: (Winter 1989) Pages: 368-375
Date Published
1989
Length
8 pages
Annotation
The psychological effects of rape are analyzed.
Abstract
This paper examines the effect of self-blame on post-rape adjustment. It is hypothesized that the degree to which rape victims blame their personal character for the rape will effect how quickly they adjust to the attack. Similarly, it is predicted that the degree to which victims feel they can change the source of self-blame will also effect the degree of maladjustment. The study attempts to test the Janoff-Bulman theory that personal character blame and perceptions of ability to change the source of self-blame have differential effects on maladjustment because they imply different perceptions of control over future events. Attitudinal questionnaires were given to the 36 subjects with a return rate of 80 percent. Results suggest that ability to change sources of self-blame may not adequately explain the attribution of blame or maladjustment. Methodological problems include low sample size, questionable inferences from the sample to the population, and attitudinal rather than behavioral results. 2 tables and 10 references. (Author abstract modified)