A study of male rape survivors
type: CreativeWork
description: There appears to be appreciable literature on the sexual assault of boys, adult male survivors of childhood sexual assault and male rape in prison. However, where the victim is an adult male who has been raped in a community setting, there is little information. Study 1 investigated the nature and circumstances of such assaults and determined whether men who have been raped as adults differ significantly in their psychological adjustment from a well-matched control sample. Forty male rape victims were asked to complete a background questionnaire involving demographic and descriptive information such as the nature and circumstances of the assault and the long-term psychological effects on the victims. The long-term impact on the victim was assessed by comparing scores on established questionnaires (which researchers had previously used with other types of victims) with those from a well-matched control group. Study 1 indicated that the sexual assault of men by men has similarities to female rape in terms of assault characteristics and subsequent psychological sequalae. However, problems unique to male rape victims were a perceived loss of masculinity and confusion over sexual orientation. Most victims reported suffering from intrusive re-experiencing of the rape. Accordingly the majority consciously recognised avoidance of certain ideas, feelings and situations. Compared to the control group, victims displayed significantly more somatic and affective symptoms, significantly higher levels of anxiety and depression. Victims also displayed significantly lower levels of self-esteem and saw themselves as less positive and more unlucky than the control group. The impact of adult male rape can be explained by the conceptual models of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Horowitz, 1979) and Assumptive Worlds (Janoff-Bulman, 1985). Results were discussed in relation to previous research and differences and similarities between male and female victims are identified. Study 2 explor…
abstract: There appears to be appreciable literature on the sexual assault of boys, adult male survivors of childhood sexual assault and male rape in prison. However, where the victim is an adult male who has been raped in a community setting, there is little information. Study 1 investigated the nature and circumstances of such assaults and determined whether men who have been raped as adults differ significantly in their psychological adjustment from a well-matched control sample. Forty male rape victims were asked to complete a background questionnaire involving demographic and descriptive information such as the nature and circumstances of the assault and the long-term psychological effects on the victims. The long-term impact on the victim was assessed by comparing scores on established questionnaires (which researchers had previously used with other types of victims) with those from a well-matched control group. Study 1 indicated that the sexual assault of men by men has similarities to female rape in terms of assault characteristics and subsequent psychological sequalae. However, problems unique to male rape victims were a perceived loss of masculinity and confusion over sexual orientation. Most victims reported suffering from intrusive re-experiencing of the rape. Accordingly the majority consciously recognised avoidance of certain ideas, feelings and situations. Compared to the control group, victims displayed significantly more somatic and affective symptoms, significantly higher levels of anxiety and depression. Victims also displayed significantly lower levels of self-esteem and saw themselves as less positive and more unlucky than the control group. The impact of adult male rape can be explained by the conceptual models of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Horowitz, 1979) and Assumptive Worlds (Janoff-Bulman, 1985). Results were discussed in relation to previous research and differences and similarities between male and female victims are identified. Study 2 explor…
author: Walker, Jayne
language: en
keywords: C800 - Psychology
date published: 2004-07
date modified: 2026-07-24T01:35:46Z
provider: University of Central Lancashire
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: University of Central Lancashire