title: The role of psychopathology in stalking by adult strangers and acquaintances.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Individuals who stalk strangers and acquaintances are under-studied, although there is some evidence suggesting a greater prevalence of psychopathology than is present in those who stalk former partners. This study investigated the nature and prevalence of psychopathology in a sample of stranger and acquaintance stalkers and whether psychopathology was associated with increased duration or serial stalking in this group. It was hypothesised that mental illness, and specifically psychosis, would be more prevalent among strangers and acquaintances than among ex-intimate stalkers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and eleven stalkers (10% female; mean age = 35, SD = 10.8; 71 ex-intimates) were recruited between 2002 and 2007 from a specialist service in Melbourne, Australia. Each underwent psychiatric and psychological assessment and disorders were diagnosed according to DMS-IV-TR criteria. Non-parametric independent sample tests were used to examine associations between relationship type and psychopathology, and to identify individual and stalking-related characteristics associated with increased duration and serial stalking.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Axis I disorders were significantly more prevalent among strangers and acquaintances than ex-intimates (71% vs 48%, OR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.4 to 4.7), as were psychotic disorders (29% vs 9%, OR = 4.4, 95% CI = 1.8 to 10.9). Psychosis was significantly associated with increased duration of stalking behaviour (U = 3043, p < 0.001). Those with a personality disorder were twice as likely to have stalked multiple times (OR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.2 to 5.0).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Those who stalk strangers and acquaintances are often mentally ill and psychopathology is associated with more persistent and recurrent stalking behaviour. Although limited by the use of clinical interview rather than structured assessment, these findings strongly support the argument for routine mental health assessment of stranger and acquaintance stalkers who become involved with the criminal justice system.
authors: Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, Monash University and Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health, Melbourne, Australia. troy.mcewan@monash.edu
authors: Troy E
authors: TE
authors: McEwan
authors: Susanne
authors: S
authors: Strand
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011599:Psychopathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology; D055807:Stalking / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Forensic psychiatry; personality disorder; psychosis; stalking