Attitudes toward rape among mental health professionals

This study examined the attribution of blame in rape among mental health professionals from one state. Thirty-eight professionals (76% of the total population) completed the Attribution of Rape Blame Scale, a 20-item questionnaire reflecting different ways people account for rape. The responses were factor analyzed yielding four clear factors: Societal Blame, Victim Blame, Assailant Blame, and Sociological Status Blame. Analyses of variance were then performed on the participants' four factor scores to determine if there were differences in blame attribution across age or gender of respondents. The only significant finding was a gender difference on the societal blame factor. Results of the factor analysis, ANOVAs as well as implications for training of professionals are discussed.