A COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF PSYCHOTIC AND NONPSYCHOTIC STALKING

A comparative analysis of psychotic versus nonpsychotic stalking is pr esented. Archival files of 25 forensic subjects whose alleged criminal offenses met a legal definition of stalking behavior were studied for demographic characteristics, stalking dynamics, psychosocial history, and current psychological variables. Although nearly one-third of all subjects had an Axis I psychotic disorder and were delusional, only o ne of these subjects had erotomanic delusions. The psychotic subjects' pursuit of victims was associated with other delusions and symptoms o f psychosis. Nonpsychotic subjects tended to exhibit an Axis I disorde r (usually major depression, adjustment disorder, or substance depende nce) as well as a variety of Axis II personality disorders. The nonpsy chotic subjects' pursuit of victims was influenced by various psycholo gical factors, including anger and hostility, projection of blame, obs ession, dependency, minimization and denial, and jealousy. Psychotic s ubjects visited the victims' homes significantly more often than nonps ychotic subjects. Nonpsychotic subjects made more verbal threats and ' 'acted out'' violently more often than psychotic subjects. While all s ubjects exhibited some similarities in stalking behaviors and demograp hic variables, including childhood attachment disruptions, no single p rofile of a ''stalker'' emerged. These findings provide information ab out factors contributing to stalking violence, as well as diagnostic i ssues that should be considered in the assessment and treatment of thi s criminal population.