Acquaintance stalking victim experiences of work interference, resource loss, and help-seeking

Abstract

Stalking victimization, regardless of victim–stalker relationship, has been associated with negative consequences including high fear levels, mental health problems, and resource losses. Much of the research on stalking has focused on (ex)partner stalking victim experiences and consequences; however, many women are stalked by acquaintances. This is one of the first studies to examine acquaintance stalking victims who did ( n = 140) and who did not ( n = 222) experience negative work consequences from stalking victimization. Results found that just over half of the acquaintance stalking victims indicated the stalker was someone from work or school. Overall, many acquaintance stalking victims regardless of work losses experienced work interference, although those with work losses experienced increased work interference and job performance problems. Additionally, stalking victims with negative work consequences experienced more stalking threats, life interference, more non-work-related resource losses, and had higher stalking-related fear levels than victims without work losses. Regardless of group, stalking victims lost an average of nine different resources other than work losses, and resource losses were associated with current negative mental health symptoms and help-seeking. Help-seeking, outside of friends or family, even though they endured stalking for an average of almost 2 years, was low for all of the victims. However, acquaintance stalking victims with work losses sought help from more sources on average. Implications from this study suggest that safety at work should be a primary concern for all types of stalking victims, and workplace policies should consider stalking as a separate category of victimization.

“Everyone Saw Me Differently Like It Was My Fault or I Wanted It”: Acquaintance Stalking Victim Experiences of Sexual Assault, Sexual Harassment, and Sexual Autonomy

“…Recent research has begun to document resource losses from stalking victimization and the impact that resource losses have on mental health (Logan & Landhuis, 2022;Logan & Showalter, 2023;Logan & Walker, 2017c.…”

“…Recent research has begun to document resource losses from stalking victimization and the impact that resource losses have on mental health (Logan & Landhuis, 2022; Logan & Showalter, 2023; Logan & Walker, 2017c, 2021). Acquaintance stalking victims, in the current study, experienced significant resource losses although victims who were sexually assaulted experienced significantly more resource losses than those not sexually assaulted.…”

“…Less visible stalking harms include stalking-related fear, negative mental health outcomes, and resource losses (Cheng & Lo, 2019;Logan & Walker, 2009, 2017b, 2017cSmith et al, 2017. In particular, stalking victims experience resource losses due to direct inference by the stalker and/or potentially as an indirect consequence of stalking (e.g., tangible and social resource losses) (Logan & Landhuis, 2022;Logan & Showalter, 2023). Resource losses can also include the impact of victimization on negative perceptions of self and on the victim's perceived social identity (Childress, 2013;Logan et al, 2006;Mark & Vowels, 2020;Matheson et al, 2015;Stets & Burke, 2000).…”

Mental Health and Recovery Needs Among Women Substance Use Disorder Treatment Clients With Stalking Victimization Experiences

“…Stalking victimization is also associated with resource losses (Logan et al, 2022; Logan & Landhuis, 2022a; Logan & Showalter, 2022; Logan & Walker, 2017a, 2017b), and resources are crucial for successful SUD program engagement as well as SUD recovery (Cano, Best, Edwards, & Lehman, 2017; Hennessy, 2017; Laudet & White, 2008; Logan, Cole, & Walker, 2020). Based on the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory and other recent work recovery needs are classified into three categories for this study including: basic resources (e.g., economic resources), social status-related resources (e.g., employment, criminal justice system involvement, social support for recovery, safety), and personal resources (e.g., health and mental health, perceived efficacy in maintaining recovery) (Cano et al, 2017; Hennessy, 2017; Hobfall, 1989; Hobfall & Lilly, 1993; Laudet & White, 2008; Logan et al, 2020).…”

“…Stalking victimization has also been associated with increased alcohol and illicit drug use (Cucciare et al, 2022; Logan, Cole, Shannon, & Walker, 2006; Reidy, Smith-Darden, & Kernsmith, 2016; Strauss, Haynes, Cornelius, & Shorey, 2019). Stalking victimization is associated with increased mental health symptoms which tend to be long-term even after the stalking victimization has stopped (Logan, 2020, 2022a, 2022b; Logan & Landhuis, 2022a; Logan & Walker, 2010, 2017, 2021). As mentioned earlier, stalking victimization is associated with a loss of resources however, successfully addressing addiction requires resources so that an individual can focus on their SUD recovery (Davidson et al, 2010; Logan et al, 2020, 2022).…”