Stalking in College Student Dating Relationships: A Descriptive Investigation

Abstract

Violence in college student dating relationships is a prevalent problem. However, little research has examined stalking, behaviors that have most commonly been examined after relationship termination, not within intact relationships. The purpose of the present study was to descriptively examine the prevalence and frequency of various stalking behaviors among male and female college students in a current dating relationship (N=650). Results demonstrated that the prevalence of some stalking behaviors were as high as 38 % in the previous 6 months. Additionally, out of 15 potential stalking behaviors, men and women only differed on the frequency of one stalking behavior (leaving unwanted items for a partner). Findings demonstrate that stalking behaviors are relatively common among college students in dating relationships.

Stalking Following the Breakup of Dating Relationships in Adolescence

“…A study conducted by Katz and Rich (2015) revealed that physical dating violence is a predictor of stalking and of further exposure to physical violence. Likewise, Shorey et al (2015) pointed out that both the perpetration of and victimization by stalking, among women, are signifi cantly positively correlated with physical and psychological violence during the relationship. Such data corroborates the affi rmation made by Ferreira and Matos (2013a) that there is a continuum of violence between the current stalking and the violence already suff ered during the relationship.…”

“…Although intimidation/threats and invasive communication were more prevalent in various studies (Fischer et al, 2014;Katz & Rich, 2015), young American female undergraduates, subsequent to breaking up, were also the victims of physical (19.2%) and sexual abuse (29.3%; Katz & Rich, 2015). Seen in these terms, the post-breakup period of a dating relationship becomes a risk factor for the occurrence of stalking (Edwards & Gidycz, 2014;Haugaard & Seri, 2004), especially when there was violence and excessive jealousy in the relationship (Ferreira & Matos, 2013b;Roberts, 2002;Shorey, Cornelius, & Strauss, 2015).…”

The Effectiveness of a Domestic Violence Prevention Program in Japanese Agricultural University

“…DV victims in Japan consist of both men and women. In a study conducted on American dating violence, alcohol use and marijuana use were found to have a strong relationship with physical and sexual violence (Shorey et al 2015). Therefore it is necessary to include contents that address these aspects in DV prevention programs for university students.…”

“…The effects of DV prevention education for university students have not seen in the USA. However, a report cited factors related to dating violence among university students (Shorey et al 2015). Because studies have not explored the effects of DV prevention education among university students in Japan, I measured knowledge level before, directly after, and after six months after a DV preventive education program in this study.…”

Cyber Abuse in Romantic Relationships

“…Examining college students, Shorey et al (2015) found that over a third of their respondents reported engaging in behaviors in order to monitor their partner's behavior in some manner. Thirty-five percent of participants called or text messaged their partner repeatedly to ascertain who he/she was with and what he/she was doing, and 38% of participants reported having tried to monitor their partner's behavior by checking his/her social media (Shorey et al 2015).…”