Rape Myth Acceptance and Its Link with Mental Health Problems in Older Victims of Sexual Violence.

Background/

Objectives

Rape myth acceptance (RMA) may influence how older victims perceive their experiences of sexual violence (SV) and, consequently, their mental health. This study examined the associations between RMA, the framing of SV experiences, and mental health outcomes among sexually victimised older adults, with the aim of informing clinical practice.

Methods

We analysed data from 197 adults aged 70 years and older in Belgium who reported lifetime sexual victimisation. Information on sexual victimisation, mental health, the framing of SV experiences, and RMA was collected through structured face-to-face interviews. Sexual victimisation was assessed using behaviourally specific questions, while symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were measured using validated instruments.

Results

Higher levels of RMA were associated with more severe depressive symptoms (p = 0.031) and anxiety symptoms (p = 0.008) among participants who labeled their SV experience as "wrong" or "a crime." In addition, RMA was linked to higher anxiety symptoms among participants reporting financial difficulties (p = 0.012).

Conclusions

Our findings highlight the importance of considering how RMA interacts with subjective framing of SV when evaluating mental health outcomes in older victims. Practitioners should be cautious about encouraging older victims with high RMA to frame their experience as "wrong" or "a crime", while actively challenging rape myths when such framing emerges. For those with high RMA who frame their experience as "just something that happened", interventions should focus on reducing self-blame and preventing revictimization.