Stalking Following the Breakup of Dating Relationships in Adolescence

Abstract

Apoio fi nanceiro: Esta pesquisa recebeu suporte fi nanceiro do Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científi co e Tecnológico (CNPq-402666/2016-0) e a primeira autora recebeu bolsa de doutorado pela Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES).

Post‐relationship stalking and intimate partner abuse in a sample of Australian adolescents

“…Females were significantly more likely to self‐report PRS perpetration than males. This is consistent with the previous studies of self‐reported perpetration in adults (McEwan et al, 2020; Nobles et al, 2009; Senkans et al, 2017), though at odds with Fisher and colleagues’ findings and with research with stalking victims, which typically shows far higher rates of male perpetration (Australia Bureau of Statistics, 2016; Borges & Dell'Aglio, 2019; Fisher et al, 2014; Purcell et al, 2010; Spitzberg & Cupach, 2014). In addition to methodological differences between Fisher et al and the current study, it is possible that sociocultural norms could mean that such behaviour by women or girls is considered less problematic, and so is more easily self‐reported or even more likely to be used (see Senkans et al, 2020).…”

“…Using the local legal definition of stalking (two or more unwanted behaviours plus fear), 19% ( n = 34) of the sample was classified as PRS victims following the breakdown of their most difficult relationship. These rates are similar to findings from Borges and Dell'Aglio (2019) who identified a 22% prevalence rate of PRS victimisation in a Brazilian adolescent sample. However, unlike Borges and Dell’Aglio, there was no gender difference in victimisation rates in this study.…”

“…Comparatively, McEwan et al (2020) found that 30% of adults met both the conduct and fear/distress criteria. The rate of adolescent stalking victimisation identified using the SAI criteria in this study was also substantially lower than identified by Borges and Dell'Aglio (2019).…”

“…Post‐relationship stalking comprises a substantial minority of adolescent stalking cases, accounting for 21% of Purcell et al’s (2009) forensic sample and 40% of Fisher et al (2014) community sample (though noting the problematic definition of stalking in this study). Borges and Dell'Aglio (2019) only measured PRS. Among the 117 Brazilian young people classified as stalking victims in that study, abuse was present within the prior dating relationship in 32.5% of cases, with psychological abuse being more common (55.6%) than physical violence (25.4%).…”

“…However, some consistent themes emerge. For instance, adolescent females were more likely to report victimisation across studies, while male perpetration was more often identified (Borges & Dell'Aglio, 2019; Fisher et al, 2014; Purcell et al, 2010). In the two community samples (Borges & Dell'Aglio, 2019; Fisher et al, 2014), adolescents reported unwanted communication as the most common stalking behaviour, followed by spreading rumours about the victim, following and approaching the victim.…”