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[Health consequence of stalking victimization]
1Hochschule Fulda, Fachbereich Pflege und Gesundheit.
Gesundheitswesen (Bundesverband Der Arzte Des Offentlichen Gesundheitsdienstes (Germany))
|May 20, 2011
Summary
Stalking affects 12-20% of people, with women more often impacted. While direct physical harm is rare, victims frequently experience significant psychological and social well-being impairments.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Psychology
- Public Health
- Sociology
Context:
- Stalking is a prevalent issue with a lifetime prevalence of 12-20%, disproportionately affecting females.
- Despite being a statutory offense, stalking is not currently classified under victims' assault laws.
- Existing research on health consequences for stalking victims is limited, necessitating further investigation.
Purpose:
- To synthesize existing research on the health consequences of stalking.
- To identify the prevalence and nature of physical, psychological, and social impairments experienced by stalking victims.
- To highlight gaps in current research, particularly regarding long-term effects and socio-legal implications.
Summary:
- A review of 17 primary studies and 2 meta-analyses published between 2002-2010 identified health consequences for stalking victims.
- Direct physiological consequences were found to be relatively rare.
- However, a significant majority of stalking victims reported poorer overall physiological health, impaired psychological well-being (almost 50%), and common impairments in social well-being.
Impact:
- Findings underscore the substantial psychological and social burden of stalking, even in the absence of direct physical harm.
- The study highlights the need for further research, especially longitudinal studies, to fully understand the long-term health impacts of stalking.
- Current socio-legal frameworks may not adequately address the multifaceted health consequences experienced by stalking victims.
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