The impact of partner stalking on mental health and protective order outcomes over time.
The goals of this article are to examine stalking victimization over time among a large sample (n = 662) of women who received a protective order against a violent partner and to examine the impact of stalking on mental health and protective order outcomes. Findings suggest that stalking is a significant risk factor for other forms of partner violence (e.g., psychological, physical, and sexual violence) and that the experience of being stalked by a violent partner contributes uniquely to women's perceptions of psychological distress, personal safety, and perceptions of protective order effectiveness. Both the criminal justice system and victim service representatives need to be vigilant in educating women about the increased risk of stalking to their safety and mental health. Further, study findings suggest that stalking must be addressed to prevent future physical and psychological harm in partner violence cases.
University of Kentucky, Lexington 40504, USA. tklogan@email.uky.edu
T K
TK
Logan
Jennifer
J
Cole
D000328:Adult; D018585:Battered Women / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology*; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology*; D003617:Dangerous Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health