What can we learn from the first community-based epidemiological study on stalking in Germany?
There is a lack of community-based studies on prevalence rates of stalking and the impact of stalking on victims in continental European countries. The authors published the first community-based epidemiological study on stalking in Germany. The purpose of this paper is to discuss possible implications of these epidemiological data for the mental health system, forensic psychiatry and legal regulations in Germany. For these reasons some data of our epidemiological study are outlined and reanalyzed. To examine lifetime and point prevalence rates of stalking, behavioural and psychological consequences for victims and the impact of stalking on current psychological well-being in a German community sample, a postal survey was conducted with 2000 inhabitants randomly selected from Mannheim (response rate 34.2%, n=679). The survey included a stalking questionnaire and the WHO-5 well-being scale. Almost 12% of the respondents reported having been stalked. This study identified a high lifetime prevalence of stalking in the community. Effects on victims' psychological health were significant and there was a high rate of physical (31%) and sexual (19%) violence in the context of stalking. Our data suggest that the phenomenon deserves more attention in future forensic psychiatric research and practice. Implications for forensic psychiatric assessment and treatment of stalkers as well as for management of stalking victims are discussed.
Dressing
Harald
H
Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim (ZI) J 5 D-68159 Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Germany. harald.dressing@zi-mannheim.de
Gass
Peter
P
Kuehner
Christine
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003617:Dangerous Behavior; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009770:Obsessive Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017406:Sexual Harassment / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014754:Violence / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*