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Violence in stalking situations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 February 2009

T. E. McEwan ,
P. E. Mullen ,
R. D. MacKenzie  and
J. R. P. Ogloff
T. E. McEwan*
Affiliation:
Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health, Melbourne, Australia, and Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
P. E. Mullen
Affiliation:
Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health, Melbourne, Australia, and Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
R. D. MacKenzie
Affiliation:
Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health, Melbourne, Australia
J. R. P. Ogloff
Affiliation:
Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health, Melbourne, Australia, and Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr T. E. McEwan, Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, Monash University, Locked Bag 10, Fairfield, Victoria 3078, Australia. (Email: troy.mcewan@med.monash.edu.au)
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Abstract

Background

Stalking is often viewed as a precursor to violence, but determining which stalkers might attack is a difficult task. This study overcomes shortfalls in previous investigations by adopting a pseudo-prospective design and examining potential risk factors for different types of stalker.

Method

Demographic, behavioural and diagnostic information was collected from stalkers referred to a community forensic mental health service (n=211). Potential risk factors for stalking violence were identified using odds ratios and χ2 tests, and entered into logistic regression models. Model utility was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves.

Results

Amongst Rejected ex-intimate stalkers, violence was best predicted by previous violence, making threats and being employed (area under the curve=0.75), while for stalkers with other motives and relationships to the victim, being aged less than 30 years, substance use at the time of stalking and prior violence best predicted stalking violence (area under the curve=0.80).

Conclusions

Stalkers at increased risk of violence can be accurately identified by examining motivational and relationship type in conjunction with specific relevant risk factors. Previous violence is a particularly important risk factor, as are threats amongst ex-intimate stalkers. Approach behaviours and psychosis were shown to be less useful in predicting violence.

Keywords

Psychosisrisk assessmentstalkingviolence
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 39 , Issue 9 , September 2009 , pp. 1469 - 1478
Copyright
Copyright © 2009 Cambridge University Press

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