Women's fear of rape : is it normal or pathological?

Abstract

The frequency and severity of women's fear of rape and anxiety symptoms were investigated in a random sample of 89 women in the Portland, OR area, 91% of whom were Anglo. The instruments administered were: The Modified Fear Survey Schedule, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the Beck Anxiety Inventory--Modified with fear of rape instructions, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, The Modified Sexual Experiences Survey, the Attitudes toward Women Scale--Short Form, the Belief in Just World Scale. In addition, the Stock-Flarity Fear of Rape Inventory was developed for this study. Results were that women survivors of attempted rape (2.2%), sexual coercion (28.1%), or rape (24.7%) did not exhibit higher levels of fear of rape and/or anxiety symptoms than-, women who had not been victimized. In addition, women who reported higher levels of fear and anxiety about rape issues also indicated that they experienced higher levels of anxiety symptoms in general. The hypothesis that women who know victims of battering or sexual assault, but who are not victims themselves, would experience higher levels of fear of rape or anxiety symptoms was partially supported. Women who identify with feminist beliefs 'were not more likely to report increased levels of fear of rape and/or anxiety symptoms; however, they were more likely to report that they would change their behavior if they believed that sexual assault was not a possibility. Women with more traditional sex, role attitudes did not exhibit less fear of rape than nontraditional women, but were less aware of rape issues. Believing in a just world did not decrease women's fear of rape, although these women did exhibit lower general anxiety symptoms. Women who were more aware of rape issues did not exhibit more fear of rape. Issues of internal and external validity were discussed as well as suggestions for future research and the clinical implications of these results.