A Wolf in sheep’s clothing: taxometric evidence of the dimensional structure of stalking

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the latent structure of stalking. Stalking can be defined as a pattern of repeated and unwanted behaviours that cause another person to be afraid. The consequences for the victims can be severe and potentially happen over a long period of time. While stalking is considered as a taxon, empirical evidence and an absence of pathognomonic criteria point towards a dimensional structure. Design/methodology/approach The aim of this study is to examine the latent structure of stalking using taxometric analyses on the Severity of Stalking Behaviours Scale. Analyses were conducted on a sample of N = 1,032 victims’ accounts, who had contacted the National Stalking Helpline in the UK. Findings Taxometric analyses revealed that stalking presents a dimensional structure, and no taxonic peaks emerged. The results were consistent across analyses (MAMBAC, MAXEIG and L-Mode), indicators (CCFI, curves) and measures (items, factors). Research limitations/implications A dimensional structure implies that individual variation is a matter of intensity, and the present results suggest that the conceptualization of stalking should be modified. Understanding stalking from a dimensional perspective provides support to study stalking in non-clinical populations. Scales that measure stalking should provide discrimination along the entire continuum rather than focusing on putative taxonic boundaries and arbitrary threshold. Originality/value This paper is proposing the first set of taxometric analyses on stalking. The results are providing empirical support to the idea that stalking exists on a continuum. It also strengthened the validity of previous findings in non-clinical populations and their applications all along the continuum, including with clinical populations.

Everyday Sadism as a Predictor of Rape Myth Acceptance and Perception of Harassment

“…While harassment and rape are considered as different types of sexual violence, recent studies have supported the notion that they are part of the same continuum of sexual violence (Knight et al, 2013; Longpré et al, 2020b). In other words, they are not different in kind (Taxon; for more details, see Longpré et al, 2023), but are different levels of severity and involvement into sexual violence. This is consistent with the correlation that was found between Rape Myths and perception of harassment.…”