Abstract
Many women who disclose a rape encounter victim-blaming responses, which are associated with negative outcomes. The present study examined rape-related shame and experiential avoidance as mediators of the relation between victim-blaming responses to rape disclosure and depression among 103 rape survivors drawn from a community sample. Results revealed that victim-blaming responses were positively associated with depressive symptoms through rape-related shame and experiential avoidance, and shame was indirectly related to depression via avoidance. Findings suggest clinical interventions should focus on rape-related shame and experiential avoidance in targeting depression among rape survivors, and future research should continue to examine how victim-blaming responses to rape disclosure may be related to these factors.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1226-1242 |
Number of pages | 17 |
Journal | Violence Against Women |
Volume | 25 |
Issue number | 10 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 1 2019 |
Keywords
- blame
- depression
- disclosure
- experiential avoidance
- rape
- shame
- victim blaming
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Gender Studies
- Sociology and Political Science
- Law