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COPING BEHAVIOR OF THE RAPE VICTIM

NCJ Number
34001
Journal
American Journal of Psychiatry Volume: 133 Issue: 4 Dated: (APRIL 1976) Pages: 413-418
Author(s)
A W BURGESS; L L HOLMSTROM
Date Published
1976
Length
6 pages
Annotation
ANALYSIS OF THE COPING BEHAVIOR (BEFORE, DURING, AND IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE ATTACK) OF 92 WOMEN AGED 17-73 DIAGNOSED AS HAVING RAPE TRAUMA AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR CRISIS INTERVENTION COUNSELING.
Abstract
MOST OF THE WOMEN USED VERBAL, PHYSICAL, OR COGNITIVE STRATEGIES WHEN THREATENED, ALTHOUGH 34 WERE PHYSICALLY OR PSYCHOLOGICALLY PARALYZED. THE ACTUAL RAPE PROMPTED COPING BEHAVIORS IN ALL BUT ONE VICTIM. ESCAPING THE SITUATION OR THE ASSAILANT IS THE PRIMARY TASK IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ATTACK. THE AUTHORS MAINTAIN THAT, IN COUNSELING THE RAPE VICTIM, IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND HER INDIVIDUAL STYLE OF COPING, TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF IT, AND TO SUGGEST ALTERNATIVES FOR FUTURE STRESSFUL SITUATIONS. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)