NCJ Number
94669
Journal
Journal of Sexual and Marital Therapy Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1980) Pages: 40-46
Date Published
1980
Length
7 pages
Annotation
A pilot project in which rape victims were successfully treated in a group therapy environment is described.
Abstract
Nine individuals aged 21 to 38 participated in the group. Each participant's rape occurred within the preceding year. Subjects were given objective measures of psychological disturbance before and after the 10-week treatment program. These tests were designed to assess the intensity of psychiatric symptoms and the subjects' style of interpersonal adjustment. Phobic concerns, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive worry were significantly reduced through the course of treatment. No concomitant increase in subjects' ability to express affection or to reduce willingness to accept external control occurred. The diminished symptomatology was not a mere function of elapsed time since the rape. Rather, the opportunity to share the experience and the sequelae to the rape within the group seems to have been valuable. The group members enjoyed the group, and experienced a reduction in incidence and magnitude of symptomatic complaints. There is a need to evaluate the changes that take place due to group therapy and compare the relative efficiency of this type of group versus other treatment modalities. One table and 18 references are supplied.