The extent and some of the vicissitudes of psychological traumatisation at the hands of violent crime in first year university students
Date
2002
Authors
Jacobs, Franchelle Pauline
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
A review of the relevant South African trauma literature indicated that very little
research into the effects of direct and indirect violent crime exposure has been
undertaken. The present study examined some of the psychological sequelae given
extremely high levels of violent crime exposure in South Africa (Nedbank ISS Crime
Index, 2001 ). This study focused on violent crime in Gauteng, South Africa, as
experienced by a sample of 1st year University of the Witwatersrand students. The
sample (n = 367) consisted of 1 st year Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science and
Bachelor of Commerce students. A quantitative research methodology was used, in
which levels of trauma were assessed by using the Impact of Event Scale (Horowitz et
al., 1979). The Dimensions of Trauma Scale (Esprey, 1996) and the Direct and
Indirect Exposure to Violent Crime Scales, constructed by the researcher, were used to
measure violent crime exposure.
The current research adopted an epidemiological lens and focused on the prevalence
of both direct and indirect traumatic exposure to violent crime, in a sample of 1 st year
South African university students in Gauteng, and the prevalence of any resultant
traumatic stress symptomatology. The results of the research yielded high levels of
direct and indirect exposure to violent crime. Thirty-five percent of the students
reported direct exposure to violent crime and 62 % reported indirect exposure to
violent crime. Multiple exposure to trauma was evident in the current study's sample.
It was found that 19% of the sample reported substantial levels of PTSD
symptomatology on the Impact of Event Scale (Horowitz et al., 1979).
4
A further focus of the current study included an examination of the relationship
between the nature of the traumatogenic event (i.e. the nature, severity and subjective
perception of the stressor), the posttrauma environment (i.e. counselling, social
support and previous exposure to trauma) and personal factors (i.e. demographics,
health status, substance abuse, psychiatric and family psychiatric history and a sense
of coherence) and both traumatic exposure to violent crime and traumatic
symptomatology. The results of the study yielded many statistically significant
relationships and statistically significant effects between the factors chosen as part of
the relational aspect of the current study. Statistically significant results were found
with regards to the nature of the traumatogenic event (e.g. mugging, attempted sexual
assault), features of the posttrauma environment (e.g. social support, previous trauma
exposure) and personal factors ( e.g. demographics, substance use) in relation to both
direct and indirect traumatic exposure to violent crime and traumatic symptomatology.
The results of the relational aspect of the current study suggest that many factors are
implicated with regards to traumatic exposure and traumatic stress manifestations,
highlighting and adding to continuing debates regarding the complex and multifaceted
nature of the study of trauma.
Finally, the study examined whether there was a relationship between traumatic
exposure and traumatic symptomatology. The results of the study found statistically
significant relationships between traumatic exposure, in this case, violent crime, and
traumatic symptomatology. This result contributes to the body of traumatic stress
literature regarding the relationship between the nature of the stressor and traumatic
symptomatology.
5
The study added to current knowledge in the field of traumatic stress generally, and
more specifically expanded on the effects of criminal violence in South Africa. The
study also illustrated the importance of acknowledging the effects of indirect exposure
to violent crime. A further, fairly novel contribution of the current study regards the
examination of variables in relation to traumatic exposure. Finally, a number of
suggestions for future research are discussed.
Description
A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Arts, University of the Witwatersrand,
Johannesburg in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts
(Psychology)
Keywords
Post-traumatic stress disorder, Violence--South Africa--Psychological aspects