[Prevalence of stalking in Germany].
OBJECTIVE
The present study aimed at gathering information on the lifetime prevalence and impact of stalking on victims in a German community.


METHODS
A postal survey was sent to 1000 men and 1000 women who were sampled randomly from the inhabitant register.


RESULTS
The lifetime prevalence of being a stalking victim was at 11.6 %. Compared to non-victims, stalking victims scored significantly poorer on the WHO-5 well-being index.


CONCLUSIONS
Stalking seems to be a relevant problem in Germany. Physicians have to become experts in this issue since victims frequently ask them for help.
Dressing
Harald
H
Zentralinstitut für Seelische Gesundheit Mannheim, Universität Heidelberg. dressing@zi-mannheim.de
Kuehner
Christine
C
Gass
Peter
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003415:Crime / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012494:Sampling Studies; D017406:Sexual Harassment / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*