ABSTRACT
To determine what factors best predict rape-induced psychological distress at three months post-rape, victims were divided into low distress, moderately low distress, moderately high distress, and high distress groups. Information obtained at six to 21 days post-rape was compared across the four distress groups to evaluate if demographic characteristics, previous history, assault characteristics, or initial distress levels were related to three-month post-rape distress. Initial distress was a better predictor of subsequent psychological functioning than other variables. Implications of the findings for assessment and treatment of rape-induced and other types of post-traumatic stress disorder are discussed.
