PREDICTIVE FACTORS OF CHRONIC POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER IN RAPE VICTIMS

This study aimed to investigate the psychological disorders following rape as well as the course of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a nd to determine clinical factors predictive of chronic PTSD. Seventy-t hree rape victims were observed in a systematic follow-up study over 1 year following rape using structured interview schedules. The frequen cy of PTSD was massive. The early disorders predicting PTSD 1 year aft er rape included somatoform and dissociative disorders, agoraphobia an d specific phobias as well as depressive and gender identity disorders and alcohol abuse. Through stepwise logistic regressions, the followi ng were found to be good models of prediction of chronic PTSD 1 year a fter rape: for the characteristics of the traumas, intrafamily rape, b eing physically assaulted outside rape, and added physical violence du ring rape; for the early psychological and behavioural attitudes, low self-esteem, permanent feelings of emptiness and running away; and for early mental disorders, agoraphobia and depressive disorders. Finally , among all these predictive factors, added physical violence during r ape, low self-esteem, permanent feelings of emptiness and agoraphobia were shown to constitute a strong model of predictors. People presenti ng features such as the predictive factors of chronic PTSD found in th e study should be asked about a history of rape and symptoms of PTSD. (C) 1998 Elsevier, Paris.