title: Coping with obsessive relational intrusion and stalking: the role of social support and coping strategies.
abstract: This study investigated the extent to which social support mediates negative effects of stalking and obsessive relational intrusion (ORI) victimization. A survey of 1,068 respondents indicated that (a) ORI/stalking victimization is positively related to negative symptoms and trauma; (b) five different types of coping responses are positively related to negative symptoms; (c) four domains of social support reveal small but significant negative relationships with negative symptoms; and (d) females are more threatened by unwanted pursuit than male victims, and male pursuers are more threatening than female pursuers. Structural equation modeling indicates that the influence of ORI/stalking on negative symptoms is mediated by the use of coping strategies and the adequacy of social support. Discussion speculates on the functional theoretical value of coping and support processes in managing unwanted pursuit and stalking.
authors.affiliation: School of Communication, San Diego State University, CA 92182-4560, USA.
authors.forename: Linda Kim
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: Brian H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Spitzberg
authors.forename: Carmen M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012944:Social Support; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000523:psychology; D055807:Stalking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult