Stalking: Part I: An overview of the problem

This paper is the first of a 2-part review on the topic of stalking. It outlines the behaviors involved, epidemiology, motivation of offenders, and mental health consequences for the victim. Computerized literature searches were used to identify relevant papers from psychiatric and legal journals. Publications by victims' and women's organizations provided additional information. Results suggest that up to 1 in 20 women will be stalked during her lifetime. The majority of victims are female, while the offenders are usually male. Stalking behaviors range from surveillance to threatening aggressive or violent acts. The majority of stalking relates to failed intimate relationships. Stalkers may also suffer from erotomania or obsessional love with a primary psychiatric diagnosis. Victims may experience anxiety, depression, guilt, helplessness, and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2002 APA, all rights reserved)
Author: 
Abrams,Karen M.
Robinson,Gail Erlick
Notes: 
LA- English AN- 1998-11253-003
Reprint Status: 
IN FILE
Start Page: 
473
End Page: 
476
Journal/Periodical Name: 
Canadian Journal of Psychiatry
Volume: 
43
Issue: 
5
Abstract: 
This paper presents the results from the first of a two-part review on stalking. It outlines the behaviors involved, motivation of offenders, and mental health consequences for the victim. Results of an extensive literature search suggest that as many as 1 in 20 women will be stalked during her lifetime. Most victims are female while most offenders are male. Stalking behaviors range from secretive surveillance to threatening aggressive or violent acts. The majority of stalking occurrences occur in the context of failed intimate relationships. Stalkers may also exhibit erotomania or obsessional love while victims often experience anxiety, depression, guilt, helplessness, and PTSD.
Topic Areas: 
Effects; stalking
Reference Type: 
JOUR
Reference ID: 
261
Publication Date: 
1998