NCJ Number
234303
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 39 Issue: 1 Dated: January/February 2011 Pages: 39-47
Date Published
February 2011
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This study explored whether social learning theory could be used to predict stalking perpetration and victimization.
Abstract
Analysis of the data found that among the sample, stalking victimization was reported at a greater level, 25.9 percent, than stalking perpetration, 5.8 percent, and that sex and Hispanic ethnicity were significantly associated with stalking perpetration. The analysis found that stalking perpetrators were more likely to have one or more friends who were stalking perpetrators, reacted less negatively to friends that exhibited stalking behaviors, and believed that stalking someone was okay in certain situations. Data for the study were obtained from a sample of 2,766 college students that completed a survey on stalking victimization and perpetration. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the relationships between social learning theory and stalking victimization and perpetration. The findings from the analyses indicate that females are more likely to be both victims of and perpetrators of stalking, and that both stalking victimization and perpetration are functions of social learning, learned, reinforced, and modified through interactions with peers. Implications for future research are discussed. Tables, notes, and references