The prevalence of stalking among college students: the disparity between researcher- and self-identified victimization.
OBJECTIVE
Researchers examined the prevalence of self-identified and researcher-identified stalking victimization among college students.


METHODS
A representative sample of 1,573 (70.1% female; 29.9% male) student respondents completed an online stalking questionnaire.


RESULTS
Overall, 12% self-identified as having been stalked. Additionally, 42.5% (45.4% female; 35.7% male) of students reported experiencing at least 1 behavioral indicator of stalking victimization; however, only 24.7% of those self-identified as being stalked (25.6% female; 22.0% male).


CONCLUSIONS
Stalking is a serious problem in the college community. A concern that needs to be addressed is the disparity between the number of those who met the behavioral criteria for stalking victimization, but who did not self-identify as a victim. The consequences of stalking victimization are highlighted. Recommendations for addressing this issue on campus are detailed in a plan that may help improve the retention, progression, and graduation rates for stalking victims.
Department of Psychology, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Georgia 30144, USA. cmcnama4@kennesaw.edu
Corinne L
CL
McNamara
Dorothy F
DF
Marsil
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012449:Safety / Q000592:standards*; D015144:Southeastern United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055807:Stalking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult