Study of stalkers.
OBJECTIVE
This clinical study ws devised to elucidate the behaviors, motivations, and psychopathology of stalkers.


METHODS
It concerned 145 stalkers referred to a forensic psychiatry center for treatment.


RESULTS
Most of the stalkers were men (79%, N = 114), and many were unemployed (39%, N = 56); 52% (N = 75) had never had an intimate relationship. Victims included ex-partners (30%, N = 44), professional (23%, N = 34) or work (11%, N = 16) contacts, and strangers (14%, N = 20). Five types of stalkers were recognized: rejected, intimacy seeking, incompetent, resentful, and predatory. Delusional disorders were common (30%, N = 43), particularly among intimacy-seeking stalkers, although those with personality disorders predominated among rejected stalkers. The duration of stalking was from 4 weeks to 20 years (mean = 12 months), longer for rejected and intimacy-seeking stalkers. Sixty-three percent of the stalkers (N = 84) made threats, and 36% (N = 52) were assaultive. Threats and property damage were more frequent with resentful stalkers, but rejected and predatory stalkers committed more assaults. Committing assault was also predicted by previous convictions, substance-related disorders, and previous threats.


CONCLUSIONS
Stalkers have a range of motivations, from reasserting power over a partner who rejected them to the quest for a loving relationship. Most stalkers are lonely and socially incompetent, but all have the capacity to frighten and distress their victims. Bringing stalking to an end requires a mixture of appropriate legal sanctions and therapeutic interventions.
Mullen
P E
PE
Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health, Melbourne, Australia. pmullen@vicnet.net.au
Pathé
M
M
Purcell
R
R
Stuart
G W
GW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology; D003142:Communication; D003415:Crime / Q000523:psychology*; D003417:Criminal Psychology; D003702:Delusions / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D011336:Probability; D012919:Social Behavior; D013689:Telephone / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013997:Time Factors; D014754:Violence