Citation

Simmons CA. Vict. Offender 2010; 5(4): 371.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15564886.2010.509664

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

To help understand why women are at greater risk than men for developing adverse reactions to trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), this study qualitatively explores differences and similarities in the way men and women cognitively appraise their experience as violent crime survivors. Findings reveal differences in the way men and women (1) view the event as traumatic or scary, (2) compare their experience to other life experiences, (3) believe the crime changed their lives, and (4) view the probability that they would eventually experience a violent crime. Differences in the way men and women appraise these experience are linked to post-trauma sequelae.