Victims and Their Psychiatric Needs (From National Symposium on Victimology - Proceedings, P 211-219, 1982, P N Grabosky, ed. - See NCJ-90209)

• NCJ Number: 90219
• Author(s): R Ball
• Date Published: 1982
• Length: 9 pages
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology; National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

This paper identifies the psychiatric needs of victims of violent crime, the categories of coping abilities, and the major groups of adaptive tasks.

Abstract

Victims of violent crime are likely to experience a psychic erosion of a sense of personal invulnerability, a yearning for interaction with and service toward others, and a sense of control over personal destiny. Such a psychic and bodily assault can elicit the use of a number of categories of coping abilities: (1) denying or minimizing the seriousness of a crisis; (2) seeking relevant information and using intellectual resources effectively; (3) obtaining reassurance and emotional support from concerned friends, family, and experts deemed competent to provide help; (4) learning injury-related procedures; (5) setting practical goals; and (6) rehearsing alternative outcomes. Adaptive tasks related to physical injuries include dealing with pain and incapacity, adapting to hospital and other medical environments as well as special treatment procedures, and developing relationships with various professional staff. General needs involve maintaining a reasonable emotional balance, retaining a satisfactory self-image, preserving relationships with family and friends, and preparing for an uncertain future. Eight references are provided.