Stalking: Does it Leave a Psychological Footprint?

Objectives: This article offers new evidence on whether stalking damages the mental health of female victims. This study advances the literature by accounting for age of initial stalking victimization, mental health status prior to being stalked, and exposure to other forms of traumatic victimization. Methods: Using logistical analysis, we utilize data drawn from three large national data sets. Results: We find that being the victim of stalking as a young adult, ages 18-45, significantly increases the odds of initial onset of psychological distress; however, this is not the case for victims ages 12-17. Conclusions: Stalking has emerged as a deeply disturbing public issue because of its prevalence and the fear it creates in victims. Unfortunately, little is known about the psychological consequences of being stalked because the emerging literature typically is based on small, nonrandom samples. Our findings highlight the benefits of reducing stalking and the importance of supporting victims. © 2013 by the Southwestern Social Science Association.

Duke Scholars

Author William A. Darity Jr. Sanford School of Public Policy