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Does the study of victimization revictimize the victims?
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, USA.
General Hospital Psychiatry
|January 23, 1998
Summary
Questionnaires on sexual and physical victimization are generally well-tolerated by women. While some participants experience distress, adverse reactions to these surveys are less common than anticipated, suggesting they are a viable research method.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Public Health
Background:
- Increased number of surveys on sequelae of sexual and physical victimization.
- Limited understanding of the impact of these studies on participants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess participant reactions to a comprehensive questionnaire on prior sexual and physical victimization.
- To understand the emotional impact of sensitive survey content on women.
Main Methods:
- 500 randomly selected women in an HMO received a comprehensive questionnaire.
- Questionnaire included symptomatic distress measures and history of abuse/neglect.
- Participants completed a rating scale on their reactions to the survey.
Main Results:
- Most women found the experience positive, despite sensitive content.
- A small number were more upset than anticipated, but the majority would complete it again.
- Women experiencing distress differed significantly in symptomatic distress and trauma exposure.
Conclusions:
- Surveys on childhood victimization are generally well-tolerated by women.
- Adverse reactions to such investigations may be less common than previously assumed.
- Participant well-being should be considered, but these surveys are generally safe.