Prevention of post-rape psychopathology: preliminary findings of a controlled acute rape treatment study.
Violent sexual assault such as rape typically results in extremely high levels of acute distress. The intensity of these acute psychological reactions may play a role in later recovery, with higher levels of immediate distress associated with poorer outcome. Unfortunately, post-rape forensic evidence collection procedures may serve to increase, rather than reduce initial distress, potentially exacerbating future psychopathology. To address these concerns, an acute time-frame hospital-based video intervention was developed to: (a) minimize anxiety during forensic rape exams, and (b) prevent post-rape posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic, and anxiety. Preliminary data indicated that (1) psychological distress at the time of the exam was strongly related to PTSD symptomatology 6 weeks post-rape, and (2) the video intervention successfully reduced distress during forensic exams.
Resnick
H
H
Medical University of South Carolina, National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center, Charleston 29425-0742, USA.
Acierno
R
R
Holmes
M
M
Kilpatrick
D G
DG
Jager
N
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001296:Audiovisual Aids; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief / Q000379:methods*; D011902:Rape / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology