PTSD in Rape Victims
An article published in the March, 2007 issue of Psychology of Women Quarterly provides an important look at the role that social interaction after being raped can have on the posttraumatic symptoms that rape victims develop. The research was based on a survey of 636 women living in the Chicago metropolitan area who have reported having at least one unwanted sexual experience. Statistical analyses of the results indicated that negative social reactions and avoidance coping (such as nondisclosure) have a profound effect on development of later PTSD symptoms. The expected relationship between victim self-blame and PTSD was found to be at least partially due to negative social interactions with others. The researchers conclude that there is a critical need for support services for rape victims as well as community education on how to respond to survivors of sexual assault.
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