Who stalks? A description of patients at a high security hospital with a history of stalking behaviour

Whyte, Seán; Petch, Edward; Penny, Catherine; Reiss, David

doi:10.1002/cbm.675

Cited by 9 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 16 publications

(15 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Cluster B disorders predominated among acquaintances and ex-intimates, while strangers had a much wider range of pathological personality traits. Although these findings need to be replicated using structured assessments, the prevalence of personality pathology is consistent with that reported in other clinical/forensic samples, at approximately 50% (Mullen et al, 1999;Rosenfeld and Harmon, 2002;Morrison, 2008;Whyte et al, 2008). Both this and Rosenfeld's (2003) study identified relatively high prevalence of personality disorder not otherwise specified diagnoses (PD NOS), suggesting that stalking behaviour may not be associated with a specific type of personality pathology but with combinations of traits across disorder categories.…”

Section: The Role Of Psychopathology In Stalking Behavioursupporting

confidence: 83%

The role of psychopathology in stalking by adult strangers and acquaintances

McEwan

Strand

2013

Aust N Z J Psychiatry

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective: Individuals who stalk strangers and acquaintances are under-studied, although there is some evidence suggesting a greater prevalence of psychopathology than is present in those who stalk former partners. This study investigated the nature and prevalence of psychopathology in a sample of stranger and acquaintance stalkers and whether psychopathology was associated with increased duration or serial stalking in this group. It was hypothesised that mental illness, and specifically psychosis, would be more prevalent among strangers and acquaintances than among ex-intimate stalkers.Method: Two hundred and eleven stalkers (10% female; mean age = 35, SD = 10.8; 71 ex-intimates) were recruited between 2002 and 2007 from a specialist service in Melbourne, Australia. Each underwent psychiatric and psychological assessment and disorders were diagnosed according to DMS-IV-TR criteria. Non-parametric independent sample tests were used to examine associations between relationship type and psychopathology, and to identify individual and stalking-related characteristics associated with increased duration and serial stalking.Results: Axis I disorders were significantly more prevalent among strangers and acquaintances than ex-intimates (71% vs 48%, OR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.4 to 4.7), as were psychotic disorders (29% vs 9%, OR = 4.4, 95% CI = 1.8 to 10.9). Psychosis was significantly associated with increased duration of stalking behaviour (U = 3043, p < 0.001). Those with a personality disorder were twice as likely to have stalked multiple times (OR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.2 to 5.0). Conclusions:Those who stalk strangers and acquaintances are often mentally ill and psychopathology is associated with more persistent and recurrent stalking behaviour. Although limited by the use of clinical interview rather than structured assessment, these findings strongly support the argument for routine mental health assessment of stranger and acquaintance stalkers who become involved with the criminal justice system.

show abstract

Section: The Role Of Psychopathology In Stalking Behavioursupporting

confidence: 83%

The role of psychopathology in stalking by adult strangers and acquaintances

McEwan

Strand

2013

Aust N Z J Psychiatry

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The typology has been used in a range of research demonstrating qualitative and quantitative differences in stalker behavior and outcomes between types (e.g., Binder, 2006; James et al, 2010; James & Farnham, 2003; MacKenzie, Mullen, Ogloff, McEwan, & James, 2008; McEwan, Mullen, & MacKenzie, 2009; McEwan & Strand, 2013; Morrison, 2007; Mullen, Pathé, & Purcell, 2001; Whyte, Petch, Penny, & Reiss, 2008). Given its integration into the SRP, the reliability with which stalkers can be classified into the typology will substantially influence the reliability of the SRP, but this has not been tested to date.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Reliability and Predictive Validity of the Stalking Risk Profile

et al. 2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study assessed the reliability and validity of the Stalking Risk Profile (SRP), a structured measure for assessing stalking risks. The SRP was administered at the point of assessment or retrospectively from file review for 241 adult stalkers (91% male) referred to a community-based forensic mental health service. Interrater reliability was high for stalker type, and moderate-to-substantial for risk judgments and domain scores. Evidence for predictive validity and discrimination between stalking recidivists and nonrecidivists for risk judgments depended on follow-up duration. Discrimination was moderate (area under the curve = 0.66-0.68) and positive and negative predictive values good over the full follow-up period ( Mdn = 170.43 weeks). At 6 months, discrimination was better than chance only for judgments related to stalking of new victims (area under the curve = 0.75); however, high-risk stalkers still reoffended against their original victim(s) 2 to 4 times as often as low-risk stalkers. Implications for the clinical utility and refinement of the SRP are discussed.

show abstract

“…For example, ex-intimate partners are at higher risk for both continued stalking (i.e., they usually stalk for longer periods of time than offenders who have never had an intimate relationship with the victim; Budd & Mattinson, 2000; Mohandie et al, 2006; Pathé & Mullen, 1997; Purcell, Pathé, & Mullen, 2002; Purcell et al, 2004; Rosenfeld, 2003; Tjaden & Thoennes, 1998), and are more often violent toward their victim (McEwan et al, 2009). Another robust risk factor for both renewed stalking and stalking-related violence is the presence of a personality disorder, and in particular cluster B disorders (i.e., Borderline and Antisocial; McEwan et al, 2008; Rosenfeld, 2003, 2004; Whyte, Petch, Penny, & Reiss, 2008). Stalking offenders whose behaviors persist and escalate into physical approach tend to be seeking intimacy or have a psychotic illness.…”

Section: Risk Factors For Stalking and Stalking-related Violencementioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing Risk for Recidivism in Individuals Convicted of Stalking Offenses

Foellmi¹,

Rosenfeld

Galietta

2015

Criminal Justice and Behavior

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study examined the internal validity and predictive accuracy of the Guidelines for Stalking Assessment and Management (SAM), a structured professional judgment risk assessment tool for stalking. Interviewers rated 89 stalking offenders on the Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version (PCL:SV) and SAM Nature (N) and Perpetrator (P) subscales. Researchers obtained stalking and violence outcomes prospectively from several sources, for an average follow-up period of 2.5 years. Cox Proportional Hazard analyses including SAM and PCL:SV scores demonstrated a significant positive relationship between SAM total and subscale scores in predicting stalking recidivism, whereas PCL:SV scores were negatively associated with recidivism. However, the SAM clinical risk ratings did not significantly predict stalking reoffending. There were also no significant associations between SAM scores and violent outcomes. These findings provide mixed support for the use of the SAM as a risk assessment tool for stalking offenders.

show abstract

Who stalks? A description of patients at a high security hospital with a history of stalking behaviour

Abstract: Although this small group of stalkers had been intrusive and attacking, few had been referred for treatment because of the stalking. The screening questionnaire is easy to use and can be done from records. It may be that such screening should become routine in specialist secure hospitals.

Cited by 9 publications

References 16 publications

The role of psychopathology in stalking by adult strangers and acquaintances

The role of psychopathology in stalking by adult strangers and acquaintances

The Reliability and Predictive Validity of the Stalking Risk Profile

Assessing Risk for Recidivism in Individuals Convicted of Stalking Offenses

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About