Skip to main content
Article
Rape and Mental Health Outcomes Among Women: Examining the Moderating Effects of “Healthy” Fear Levels
Violence Against Women
  • Ryan E Spohn, University of Nebraska at Omaha
  • Emily M. Wright, University of Nebraska at Omaha
  • Johanna C. Peterson, University of Nebraska at Omaha
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-3-2016
Abstract

This study examined the mediating and moderating impact of fear of victimization on the relationships between forcible and vicarious rape on depression and PTSD among college women. Forcible and vicarious rape positively affected PTSD and depression symptomology, but fear did not mediate these relationships. Fear moderated the impact of forcible rape on PTSD, but was not a moderator for depression. Findings suggest that there may be “healthy” levels of fear in the aftermath of victimization where having too little fear may leave women unnecessarily vulnerable to victimization, while having too much fear may lead to social isolation and withdrawal.

Comments

The final published version of this article can be found here: http://vaw.sagepub.com/content/early/2016/07/01/1077801216655625.abstract.

Citation Information
Ryan E Spohn, Emily M. Wright and Johanna C. Peterson. "Rape and Mental Health Outcomes Among Women: Examining the Moderating Effects of “Healthy” Fear Levels" Violence Against Women (2016)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/ryan_spohn/50/