Prevention of post-rape psychopathology: Preliminary findings of a controlled acute rape treatment study

Violent sexual assault such as rape typically results in extremely high lev els of acute distress. The intensity of these acute psychological reactions may play a role in later recovery, with higher levels of immediate distres s associated with poorer outcome. Unfortunately, post-rape forensic evidenc e collection procedures may serve to increase, rather than reduce initial d istress, potentially exacerbating future psychopathology. To address these concerns, an acute time-frame hospital-based video intervention was develop ed to: (a) minimize anxiety during forensic rape exams, and (b) prevent pos t-rape posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic, and anxiety. Preliminar y data indicated that (1) psychological distress at the time of the exam wa s strongly related to PTSD symptomatology 6 weeks post-rape, and (2) the vi deo intervention successfully reduced distress during forensic exams. (C) 1 999 Elsevier Science Ltd, All rights reserved.