A comparison of normal forgetting, psychopathology, and information-processing models of reported amnesia for recent sexual trauma.
This study assessed memories for sexual trauma in a nontreatment-seeking sample of recent rape victims and considered competing explanations for failed recall. Participants were 92 female rape victims assessed within 2 weeks of the rape; 62 were also assessed 3 months postassault. Memory deficits for parts of the rape were common 2 weeks postassault (37%) but improved over the 3-month window studied (16% still partially amnesic). Hypotheses evaluated competing models of explanation that may account for reported recall deficits. Results are most consistent with information-processing models of traumatic memory.
Mechanic
M B
MB
Department of Psychology, University of Missouri-St. Louis 63121, USA. mbmechanic@umsl.edu
Resick
P A
PA
Griffin
M G
MG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000648:Amnesia, Retrograde / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011902:Rape / Q000523:psychology*; D012094:Repression, Psychology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012650:Self Disclosure; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology; D013997:Time Factors