Coping with stalking.
Stalking is a serious public health and societal concern affecting the college population. Although numerous studies illustrate the physical and mental effects of stalking, literature addressing how individuals cope with this phenomenon is lacking. The purpose of this study was to describe stalking experiences of college students and the coping strategies used to manage stalking. In this descriptive study, 262 college students completed an online survey that included a stalking questionnaire and coping survey. Slightly more than one-fourth of the sample (n = 69) reported experiencing stalking victimization. Results indicated that the most common coping strategies employed were: ignoring the problem, minimizing the problem, distancing, detaching or depersonalizing, using verbal escape tactics, attempting to end the relationship, controlling the interaction, and restricting accessibility. Implications for refining current practice and research on coping strategies and stalking are suggested.
Amar
Angela Frederick
AF
Boston College, Connell School of Nursing, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467, USA. angela.amar.1@bc.edu
Alexy
Eileen M
EM
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D011209:Power, Psychological; D055807:Stalking / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult