Postraumatic stress dysfunction and other reactions of the victims of house burglary

Crime is a problem that has been scarcely investigated in our country among the people who have suffered it. Bibliographic reviews show that a set of psychological reactions appear frequently, and that sometimes these require psychological intervention. Unfortunately, nowadays crime problems and oth er forms of violence are prevalent, so there is a strong need for research on this respect. This paper shows the psychological effects in Mexicans, derived from their experience of being burglarized at home. A qualitative study was developed with Victims of this crime. Tape recorded interviews were made in twenty in formants one-month and six-months after. The interviews were based on a thematic guide developed by considering the symptoms of the post-traumatic stress disorder, as described in the DSM-IV, and also by exploring other manifestations experienced by the informants. The analyses were done according to the characteristics of the house-burgla ry and the reactions developed by if, including the symptoms of such disord er. Results showed that house burglary is experienced mainly as a severe violat ion or intrusion of their intimacy. The more common symptoms were the memor ies and the psychological distress when exposed to similar situations. The usually avoid thoughts and feelings related to the experienced burglary. An other frequent reaction is their concern for the future, and the prevalence of irritability and hypervigilance. Most of the victims experienced sadnes s and blue feelings. The comparison of the symptoms one month and six months after, showed that although in general most of the reactions decreased with time, some of them persisted, producing much distress in the informants. The duration of some reactions and the suffering related to them are emphasized and discussed.