Citation

Purcell R, Pathé M, Baksheev GN, Mackinnon A, Mullen P. J. Forensic Psychiatry Psychol. 2012; 23(3): 361-370.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/14789949.2012.679007

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Stalking victims report significant psychiatric morbidity, which often persists long after the stalking itself has ceased. Elucidating predictors of psychopathology in victims is critical to informing the clinical management of this population. This study examined demographic, individual-vulnerability and stalking-related predictors of general psychopathology and post-traumatic stress in a community sample of victims (n = 236). Regression analyses showed that both general psychopathology and post-traumatic stress were influenced by individual-vulnerability factors, particularly the use of avoidance coping, and stalking-related factors, most notably being subjected to threats. This study provides the most comprehensive analysis to date of factors that mediate psychiatric morbidity among stalking victims, and highlights the utility of clinicians focussing on modifying dynamic risk factors such as maladaptive avoidance behaviours to help alleviate victims' psychological distress.