Prevalence rates, reporting, and psychosocial correlates of stalking victimization: results from a three-sample cross-sectional study

Abstract

Behavioral approaches to epidemiological and criminal justice stalking victimization are recommended. Victimization under reporting to healthcare and legal professionals were observed. Further research and prevention programming is needed to capitalize on data concerning personality and coping skills, sexual diversity, and trauma-related psychiatric symptoms.

Correlates of stalking victimization in Canada: A model of social support and comorbidity

“…The model of comorbidity is supported by the data in the present study too. Cannabis use, cyberbullying victimization and total victimization are associated with an increased risk of being stalking victims, consistent with the previous findings ( Fisher et al, 2002 ; Nobles et al, 2018 ; Reyns et al, 2016 ; Reyns and Scherer, 2018 ). The weak effect of the cannabis use warrants further examination.…”

“…What is interesting is the effect of mental health on stalking victimization. Previous studies allude a positive association ( Johnson and Thompson, 2016 ; McEwan et al, 2017 ; Noble et al, 2018 ) while we have found a negative correlation. That is, in the present study, those who self-rate themselves better in mental health condition are less likely to be a stalking victim.…”

“… Reyns et al (2016) also reported that total victimization (experiences of victimization other than stalking) as a control variable positively correlates with the chance of being stalked. Others have discovered that being stalked is related to psychological correlates of drug use ( Nobles et al, 2018 ; Reyns and Scherer, 2018 ), post-traumatic stress disorder ( Nobles et al, 2018 ), depression and negative emotional reactions ( Johnson and Kercher, 2009 ), personality disorder ( McEwan et al, 2017 ), and mental disorder ( Adams et al, 2009 ) or mental disability ( Reyns and Scherer, 2018 ). In this study, we propose that behaviors such as alcohol consumption, illegal drug use, cyber bullying, total victimization, and mental health may be co-occurring cues of being stalked.…”

Characteristics of Cyberstalking Behavior, Consequences, and Coping Strategies: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Sample of Italian University Students

“…To measure depression and anxiety symptoms, the shortened Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) [35,36] and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) [37,38], respectively, were used. The shortened version of the BDI consists of 13 items [39] that permit the classification of symptoms and attributes according to a level of gravity: none or minimal depression (scores 0-4), mild depression (5-7), moderate depression (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15), or severe depression (>15) (in this study, Cronbach's α was 0.82). The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory consists of two forms (STAIY1 and STAIY2; 20 items each) used to assess how participants feel "right now", at this moment, and how they feel most of the time (respectively, for state anxiety and trait anxiety).…”

“…Due to the nature of the motives for using the Internet and social networks (e.g., searching for new friends) [7], young people are more likely to become victims of cyberstalking than other violent and repetitive phenomena. The victimization seems to decrease with age, while the likelihood of reporting stalking victimization tends to increase [8]. For example, findings from Spitzberg and Hoobler's [1] investigation showed that almost one-third of 235 undergraduate college students reported some form of unwanted online pursuit.…”