Psychopathology after rape

Abstract

Objective: This study evaluated the psychopathological consequences of a single rape occurring in adult women.

Method: The psychiatric symptoms reported by 40 women who were victims of rape during the previous 9 months as decided by a court of law were compared with the symptoms of 32 women who underwent severe, nonsexual, life-threatening events (car accidents, physical attacks, or robberies). None of the raped women had experienced previous sexual abuse during childhood or adolescence.

Results: The raped women showed a significantly greater prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder, as well as sexual, eating, and mood disorders.

Conclusions: These findings indicate that the psychopathological consequences of a rape could be specific and may warrant particular attention.