Investigation of the Psychological Characteristics of Stalkers: Empathy, Problem-Solving, Attachment and Borderline Personality Features

• NCJ Number: 187174
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 46 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2001 Pages: 80-84
• Author(s): Sarah F. Lewis M.A.; William J. Fremouw Ph.D.; Kevin Del Ben B.A.; Chastity Farr B.A.
• Date Published: January 2001
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the psychological characteristics of a sample of self-reported stalkers, compared to a control group, on measures of empathy, problem-solving skills, attachment, and borderline personality features.

Abstract

A total of 240 individuals (143 men and 97 women) participated in the study. The sample was drawn from a pool of undergraduates at West Virginia University. The critical tenet for identifying stalking behavior was repetitive, threatening behaviors. Participants were identified as stalkers by their endorsement of distinctive behavioral items on the Stalking Behavior Checklist. The stalking groups consisted of a subsample of the entire pool of participants and included 12 men and 10 women. The dependent measures consisted of the following scales: Alternative Uses Test, Emotional Empathy Questionnaire, Attachment Style Inventory, and the Personality Assessment Inventory-Borderline Scale. Male stalkers showed significantly less developed problem-solving skills and cognitive flexibility than male controls. Inadequate problem-solving skills or the inability to generate alternative solutions greatly reduces the probability of successful conflict resolution. Although men may stalk as a result of a skills deficit, females' stalking behavior is potentially controlled by other variables, such as learning history. Stalkers did not show less empathy and affective sensitivity than the control group. This suggests that stalkers may not necessarily lack the awareness of other individual's thoughts and feelings as expected. Stalkers were significantly more avoidant and insecurely attached, and the control group was significantly more securely attached. An insecure attachment bond results in a variety of complications, such as an inherent lack of trust, approach and avoidant behaviors, ambivalence regarding commitment, and an overall dysfunctional approach in interpersonal relationships. Both male and female stalkers reported greater difficulty with dependency, trust, abandonment, and security issues. 1 table and 26 references