ASD and PTSD in Rape Victims

Abstract

In recent years, a number of studies have investigated the prediction of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) through the presence of acute stress disorder (ASD). The predictive power of ASD on PTSD was examined in a population of 148 female rape victims who visited a center for rape victims shortly after the rape or attempted rape. The PTSD diagnosis based solely on the three core symptom clusters was best identified by a subclinical ASD diagnosis based on all ASD criteria except dissociation. However, a full PTSD diagnosis including the A( 2) and F criteria was best identified by classifying victims according to a full ASD diagnosis. Regardless of whether cases were classified according to full PTSD status or according to meeting the criteria for the three PTSD core symptom clusters, the classification was correct only in approximately two thirds of the cases. A regression analysis based on ASD severity and sexual problems following the rape accounted for only 28% of the PTSD severity variance. In conclusion, the ASD diagnosis is not an optimal method for identifying those most at risk for PTSD. It remains to be seen whether a better way can be found.

Attrition in Danish rape reported crimes

“…Researchers have attributed victims drop out of the legal process to manipulative and insensitive police responses (Frazier & Haney, 1996;Holmstrom & Burgess, 1975) and others point to the specific vulnerabilities of rape victims (Holmstrom & Burgess, 1975;Lea et al, 2003;Maddox et al, 2011). Many rape victims suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (Elklit & Christiansen, 2010), potentially affecting their ability and motivation for further case processing (Maddox et al, 2011). Thus, it seems to be important that police investigators and prosecutors are informed of the specific vulnerabilities of rape victims and are conducting interrogations of these victims in an empathetic and sensitive way.…”

Posttraumatic Growth and Recovery from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

“…Research suggests that such variables affect the individual's response to tr auma as well as the cours e and severity of PTSD symptoms. It is well established that some people do not develop PTSD after a qualifying event (Rubonis & Bickman, 1991); different types of traumatic events are associated with distinct probabilities of developing PTSD (Kessler et al, 1995) and certain types of traumatic events are associated with specific clinical presentations (e.g., Elklit & Christiansen, 2010). The DSM-IV-TR (APA, 2000) text also acknowledges that different types of events can affect the course of PTSD by stating that the "disorder may be especially severe or long lasting when the stressor is of human design (e.g., torture, rape)" (p. 464).…”

Assessing a dysphoric arousal model of acute stress disorder symptoms in a clinical sample of rape and bank robbery victims

“…The ASD symptom clusters were met if the participants endorsed at least one re-experiencing symptom, one avoidance symptom, and one arousal symptom in addition to at least three dissociative symptoms, all indicated by item scores ≥ 3 on the ASDS. Previous studies have used this procedure and have reported good reliability, with reliability coefficients of .85, .90, .93, and .96 (Armour et al, 2011; Elklit & Christiansen, 2010; Hansen, in press; Hansen & Elklit, 2011) for the total scale. The reliability coefficient in the current study for the full combined sample was satisfactory (total scale=.76).…”