title: Association between stalking victimisation and psychiatric morbidity in a random community sample.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  No studies have assessed psychopathology among victims of stalking who have not sought specialist help.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the associations between stalking victimisation and psychiatric morbidity in a representative community sample.
  
  
  METHODS
  A random community sample (n=1844) completed surveys examining the experience of harassment and current mental health. The 28-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and the Impact of Event Scale were used to assess symptomatology in those reporting brief harassment (n=196) or protracted stalking (n=236) and a matched control group reporting no harassment (n=432).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Rates of caseness on the GHQ-28 were higher among stalking victims (36.4%) than among controls (19.3%) and victims of brief harassment (21.9%). Psychiatric morbidity did not differ according to the recency of victimisation, with 34.1% of victims meeting caseness criteria 1 year after stalking had ended.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In a significant minority of victims, stalking victimisation is associated with psychiatric morbidity that may persist long after it has ceased. Recognition of the immediate and long-term impacts of stalking is necessary to assist victims and help alleviate distress and long-term disability.
authors.affiliation: Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health, Fairfield, Victoria.
authors.forename: Rosemary
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Purcell
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pathé
authors.forename: Paul E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Mullen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012919:Social Behavior; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000209:etiology; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology; D013997:Time Factors; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology