Long-term psychological effects of rape in 35 rape victims

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.