Document Type
Article
Original Publication Date
2017
Journal/Book/Conference Title
JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE
Volume
32
Issue
16
First Page
2453
Last Page
2470
DOI of Original Publication
10.1177/0886260515592618
Date of Submission
August 2017
Abstract
Many rape survivors exhibit symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and recent literature suggests survivors' beliefs about sex and control may affect PTSD symptoms. The present study examined beliefs about sex and power as potential mediators of the relationship between rape and PTSD symptoms for men versus women. Participants (N = 782) reported lifetime history of rape, current PTSD symptoms, and beliefs about sex and power. Women reported higher levels of lifetime history of rape than men (19.7% for women; 9.7% for men). While rape history predicted PTSD symptoms for both genders, beliefs about sex and power were shown to be a significant partial mediator of this relationship for men, but not for women. Results extend the literature on rape and PTSD by suggesting that survivors' beliefs about sex and power are connected and can affect their PTSD symptoms. Additionally, results illustrate how sexual violence against men may reaffirm male gender roles that entail power and aggression, and ultimately affect trauma recovery.
Rights
© The Author(s) 2015
Is Part Of
VCU Psychology Publications
Comments
Originally published at http://doi.org/10.1177/0886260515592618