Article

Abstract

In this study a group of 27 victims seen approximately 6 months after the assault was compared to a matched control group. The results show significantly higher scores on two subscales of IPAT (“ego weakness” and “disposition to guilt”) and on 4 scales of the MMPI (“denial”, “hypochondriasis”, “depression” and “conversion hysteria”); also, the victims' social adjustment seems inferior and the frequency of sexual relations has been reduced considerably for them. The following factors have been evaluated in order to test their relation to the adjustment to the assault: rape by a stranger versus someone known, degree of violence, feelings of self-blame, problems during the crisis, predominant thoughts, professional help, social support, stable relationship, allusion to victim's responsibility for rape and conviction or not of the aggressor. Even though most of these variables show a significant simple correlation with adjustment to rape only four among them remain significantly associated when socio-demographic variables, pre-rape psycho-social problems and life stressors are controled; the very subjective variable “predominant thoughts”seems to best explain differences in adjustment. The importance of pre-assault variables and of the subjective reaction to rape is discussed.