Thirty-five rape victims who had been assaulted from 2 to 46 years
earlier were interviewed to determine the long-term effects of sexual
assault. Victims were compared to 110 nonabused matched control subjects on
their scores on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Beck Depression
Inventory, and the modified Fear Survey Interview. An analysis was also
conducted to determine which of the factors characterizing the rape
situation had an influence on the victims' scores. Rape victims were found
to be significantly more depressed, generally anxious, and fearful than
control subjects. Only one rape situation variable, the survivor having
been a prior victim of sexual assault, was found to be related to a higher
degree of depression and anxiety.Abstract Teaser