A comparative study of long‐term psychological functioning in male survivors of stranger and acquaintance rape
| Pages | 25-33 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5042/jacpr.2010.0534 |
| Date | 30 September 2010 |
| Published date | 30 September 2010 |
| Author | Michelle Davies,Jayne Walker,John Archer,Paul Pollard |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Sociology |
25Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research • Volume 2 Issue 4 • October 2010 © Pier Professional Ltd
Introduction
Research o n the e ffects of male r ape has
shown that many m en display serious
psychological disturban ces, even years a fter
their assa ult. Male survivors experience
depressive symptoms (eg. Mezey & King ,
1989; Walk er et a l, 2005a), lack o f self-
esteem (My ers, 1989; Walker et al, 2005a),
symptoms o f post-tra umatic str ess disord er
(PTSD: Cox ell & K ing, 1996; Myers, 1989;
Walker et al, 2005a), sexual dysfuncti on, and
a range of issues regarding loss of masculi nity
or confusi on about their se xual ident ity (eg.
Coxell & King, 19 96; Walker et al, 2005a).
A number of studies have investigated the
impact of stranger versus acquaintance rape on
subsequent psychological functioning in female
survivors, but there have been no comparable
studies on male survivors. Although stranger
rape tends to be viewed by the public as more
‘real’ than acquaintance rape (Krahé, 2000), the
A comparative study of long-
term psychological functioning
in male survivors of stranger
and acquaintance rape
Michelle Davies
Senior Lecturer in Psychology, School of Psychology, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK
Jayne Walker
PhD Student, School of Psychology, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK
John Archer
Professor of Psychology, School of Psychology, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK
Paul Pollard
Dean of Academic Development, School of Psychology, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK
ABS TR AC T
The aim of the present study was to compare psychological functioning in male rape
survivors who had been raped either by strangers or acquaintances, and to test differences
between the functioning of gay versus heterosexual survivors. Thirty-eight male rape
survivors completed a range of measures relating to their perceptions about the nature of
the effects of their assault, their general health, self-esteem and world assumptions. Results
revealed that survivors of stranger rapes had lower psychological functioning overall than
survivors of acquaintance rapes. Gay survivors were more likely to have crises about their
sexual identity than heterosexual survivors. Suggestions for future work are proposed.
KEY WORDS
Male rape; survivors; gay; heterosexual; depression; post-traumatic stress disorder.
10.5042/jacpr.2010.0534
To continue reading
Request your trial