Study of stalkers

Objective: This clinical study was devised to elucidate the behaviors, moti vations, and psychopathology of stalkers. Method: It concerned 145 stalkers referred to a forensic psychiatry center for treatment. Results: Most of t he stalkers were men (79%, N=114), and many were unemployed (39%, N=56); 52 % (N=75) had never had an intimate relationship. Victims included ex-partne rs (30%, N=44), professional (23%, N=34) or work (11%, N=l6) contacts, and strangers (14%, N=20). Five types of stalkers were recognized: rejected, in timacy seeking, incompetent, resentful, and predatory. Delusional disorders were common (30%, N=43), particularly among intimacy-seeking stalkers, alt hough those with personality disorders predominated among rejected stalkers . The duration of stalking was from 4 weeks to 20 years (mean=12 months), l onger for rejected and intimacy-seeking stalkers. Sixty-three percent of th e stalkers (N=84) made threats. and 36% (N=52) were assaultive. Threats and property damage were more frequent with resentful stalkers, but rejected a nd predatory stalkers committed more assaults. Committing assault was also predicted by previous convictions, substance-related disorders, and previou s threats. Conclusions: Stalkers have a range of motivations, from reassert ing power over a partner who rejected them to the quest for a loving relati onship. Most stalkers are lonely and socially incompetent, but all have the capacity to frighten and distress their victims. Bringing stalking to an e nd requires a mixture of appropriate legal sanctions and therapeutic interv entions.