Latent Profile Approach to Duration of Stalking |
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| Authors: | Katja Björklund PhD Helinä Häkkänen‐Nyholm PhD Lorraine Sheridan PhD Karl Roberts PhD Asko Tolvanen PhD |
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| Institution: | 1. Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.;2. Finnish Student Health Service, Helsinki, Finland.;3. Forensic Laboratory, National Bureau of Investigation, Vantaa, Finland.;4. School of Life Sciences, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, UK.;5. Australian Graduate School of Policing, Charles Sturt University, Manly, Australia.;6. Department of Psychology, University of Jyv?skyl?, Jyv?skyl?, Finland. |
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| Abstract: | Abstract: Stalking behavior and victim–stalker relationship are often the principal known factors in a stalking case. Thus, they are of great importance when trying to identify factors contributing to stalking duration. The present study aims to identify distinct subgroups of stalking victims based on measures of behavioral stalking dimensions. These victim subgroups, stalking dimensions, and victim–stalker relationship are examined in relation to stalking duration. Using a sample of 137 university students, latent profile analysis (LPA) revealed five distinct victim subgroups based on stalker behavior dimensions: surveillance, low‐profile, social lurker, wide scope, and baseline stalkers. The subgroups were significantly related to stalking duration and explained a considerable amount of the variance along with the stalking dimensions and victim–stalker relationship. Connections to stalking literature and utility of person‐orientated methods in stalking research are discussed. |
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| Keywords: | forensic science forensic psychology stalking duration of stalking latent profile analysis university students |
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