Rape Disclosure and Depression Among Community Women: The Mediating Roles of Shame and Experiential Avoidance

Prachi H. Bhuptani, Julia S. Kaufman, Terri L. Messman-Moore, Kim L. Gratz, David DiLillo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

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 languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1226-1242
Number of pages17
JournalViolence Against Women
Volume25
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 2019

Keywords

  • blame
  • depression
  • disclosure
  • experiential avoidance
  • rape
  • shame
  • victim blaming

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Gender Studies
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • Law

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