NCJ Number
209397
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 17 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2002 Pages: 50-63
Date Published
January 2002
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This study explored whether stalking victims suffer deleterious psychological outcomes associated with stalking features.
Abstract
Despite the growing public concern over stalking, little is known about the psychological toll that stalking behavior inflicts on victims. The current study examined the degree to which stalking is associated with a greater prevalence of psychopathology among victims and whether the psychological effects of stalking are dependent on certain features of stalking. Participants were 241 stalking victims who experienced stalking episodes over at least 1 month involving at least 1 intrusive behavior. Participants completed a questionnaire probing the frequency of stalking and nine features of stalking behavior, such as telephone calls, letters, and surveillance. The questionnaire also asked about countermeasures, such as calling the police and starting a lawsuit, and psychiatric symptoms. Results of statistical analyses indicated high levels of psychopathology among stalking victims. Symptom levels were comparable to psychiatric outpatients and were associated with the frequency, pervasiveness, duration, and cessation of stalking. However, since only 9 percent of the variance of the level of distress was associated with features of stalking, the findings suggest that the symptoms of psychopathology in victims are largely independent of features of their stalking experience. Treatment implications include the indication that better therapeutic outcomes can be accomplished by focusing on increasing general coping skills and decreasing general feelings of vulnerability. Future research should focus on the long-term consequences of stalking for victims and for victims’ children. Tables, references