Gender Issues in Hostages:

The psychological effects of kidnapping on the hostages are present in both men and
women but its intensity depends not only on their genders but also on their personalities, how
their mental health has been previously i.e. before being kidnapped and the period for which they
have been kidnapped.

The psychological effects of being in captivity vary to some extent in women and men as
it has been observed that the psychological symptoms in women hostages are more severe than
in men (Stofsel, 1980). It has also been seen that rate of PTSD is higher in women hostages as
compared to men hostages (National Comorbidity Survey, 1995).

Men are usually supposed to be strong and protective of females so if they themselves get
kidnapped, the feelings of helplessness affect them to a much more extent than women. Men
hostages are likely to develop John-Wayne Syndrome that never occurs in women. John- Wayne
Syndrome is characterized by the feelings of guilt for not being able to protect themselves, for
being weak and inadequate and making their own families suffer.