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Research ArticleRegular Article

Psychiatrists' Experiences of Being Stalked: A Qualitative Analysis

Louise Maclean, David Reiss, Seán Whyte, Simon Christopherson, Edward Petch and Catherine Penny
Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online June 2013, 41 (2) 193-199;
Louise Maclean
Ms. Maclean is Assistant Psychologist, Rotherham, Doncaster, and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust, East Dene Centre, Doncaster, UK. Dr. Reiss is Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist, West London Mental Health NHS Trust, and Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer, Imperial College, London, UK. Dr. Whyte is Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist, South-West London and St. George's Mental Health NHS Trust, London, UK. Dr. Christopherson is Consultant Psychiatrist, 2gether NHS Foundation Trust, Gloucester, UK. Dr. Petch is Director, Western Australia State Forensic Mental Health Service, Mount Claremont, Western Australia, Australia. Dr. Penny is Specialty Registrar in Forensic Psychiatry, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, Dartford, Kent, UK. The study was funded by a grant from the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
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David Reiss
Ms. Maclean is Assistant Psychologist, Rotherham, Doncaster, and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust, East Dene Centre, Doncaster, UK. Dr. Reiss is Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist, West London Mental Health NHS Trust, and Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer, Imperial College, London, UK. Dr. Whyte is Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist, South-West London and St. George's Mental Health NHS Trust, London, UK. Dr. Christopherson is Consultant Psychiatrist, 2gether NHS Foundation Trust, Gloucester, UK. Dr. Petch is Director, Western Australia State Forensic Mental Health Service, Mount Claremont, Western Australia, Australia. Dr. Penny is Specialty Registrar in Forensic Psychiatry, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, Dartford, Kent, UK. The study was funded by a grant from the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
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Seán Whyte
Ms. Maclean is Assistant Psychologist, Rotherham, Doncaster, and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust, East Dene Centre, Doncaster, UK. Dr. Reiss is Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist, West London Mental Health NHS Trust, and Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer, Imperial College, London, UK. Dr. Whyte is Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist, South-West London and St. George's Mental Health NHS Trust, London, UK. Dr. Christopherson is Consultant Psychiatrist, 2gether NHS Foundation Trust, Gloucester, UK. Dr. Petch is Director, Western Australia State Forensic Mental Health Service, Mount Claremont, Western Australia, Australia. Dr. Penny is Specialty Registrar in Forensic Psychiatry, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, Dartford, Kent, UK. The study was funded by a grant from the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
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Simon Christopherson
Ms. Maclean is Assistant Psychologist, Rotherham, Doncaster, and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust, East Dene Centre, Doncaster, UK. Dr. Reiss is Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist, West London Mental Health NHS Trust, and Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer, Imperial College, London, UK. Dr. Whyte is Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist, South-West London and St. George's Mental Health NHS Trust, London, UK. Dr. Christopherson is Consultant Psychiatrist, 2gether NHS Foundation Trust, Gloucester, UK. Dr. Petch is Director, Western Australia State Forensic Mental Health Service, Mount Claremont, Western Australia, Australia. Dr. Penny is Specialty Registrar in Forensic Psychiatry, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, Dartford, Kent, UK. The study was funded by a grant from the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
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Edward Petch
Ms. Maclean is Assistant Psychologist, Rotherham, Doncaster, and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust, East Dene Centre, Doncaster, UK. Dr. Reiss is Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist, West London Mental Health NHS Trust, and Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer, Imperial College, London, UK. Dr. Whyte is Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist, South-West London and St. George's Mental Health NHS Trust, London, UK. Dr. Christopherson is Consultant Psychiatrist, 2gether NHS Foundation Trust, Gloucester, UK. Dr. Petch is Director, Western Australia State Forensic Mental Health Service, Mount Claremont, Western Australia, Australia. Dr. Penny is Specialty Registrar in Forensic Psychiatry, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, Dartford, Kent, UK. The study was funded by a grant from the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
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Catherine Penny
Ms. Maclean is Assistant Psychologist, Rotherham, Doncaster, and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust, East Dene Centre, Doncaster, UK. Dr. Reiss is Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist, West London Mental Health NHS Trust, and Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer, Imperial College, London, UK. Dr. Whyte is Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist, South-West London and St. George's Mental Health NHS Trust, London, UK. Dr. Christopherson is Consultant Psychiatrist, 2gether NHS Foundation Trust, Gloucester, UK. Dr. Petch is Director, Western Australia State Forensic Mental Health Service, Mount Claremont, Western Australia, Australia. Dr. Penny is Specialty Registrar in Forensic Psychiatry, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, Dartford, Kent, UK. The study was funded by a grant from the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
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Abstract

Stalking is a well-recognized social phenomenon, one that particularly affects health care professionals, especially psychiatrists and other mental health workers; however, the nature and effects of stalking of psychiatrists have not been examined in detail. This study is a qualitative thematic analysis of the free-text responses of 2,585 psychiatrists in the United Kingdom (approximately 25% of all U.K. psychiatrists), almost 11 percent of whom described being stalked according to a strict research definition, and 21 percent of whom perceived themselves as having been stalked. It demonstrates that threat minimization, negative psychological impact, awareness of vulnerability, and difficulty obtaining help were major themes in how psychiatrists viewed their experiences of being stalked. It shows how some psychiatrists coped better than others and makes suggestions for appropriate professional support.

Footnotes

  • Disclosures of financial or other potential conflicts of interest: None.

  • © 2013 American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law
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Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online: 41 (2)
Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online
Vol. 41, Issue 2
1 Jun 2013
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Psychiatrists' Experiences of Being Stalked: A Qualitative Analysis
Louise Maclean, David Reiss, Seán Whyte, Simon Christopherson, Edward Petch, Catherine Penny
Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online Jun 2013, 41 (2) 193-199;

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Psychiatrists' Experiences of Being Stalked: A Qualitative Analysis
Louise Maclean, David Reiss, Seán Whyte, Simon Christopherson, Edward Petch, Catherine Penny
Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online Jun 2013, 41 (2) 193-199;
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