A Systematic Review: Stalking Behavior and Its Impact on the Victim and the Perpetrator

Abstract

Stalking behavior is considered a socially unacceptable behavioral phenomenon that is widely prevalent, and its prevalence has increased after the era of digital technology. Despite its profound psychological, emotional, and social consequences for both victims and perpetrators, it has not yet been studied at the local level, which indicates a research gap that must be filled. Therefore, this review study sought to examine the findings of previous studies in order to answer the research objectives, which are: (1) identifying the reasons for individuals’ involvement in stalking behavior; (2) identifying the victims who are targeted by stalking; (3) identifying the psychological effects of stalking on both the victim and the perpetrator; and (4) identifying society’s perception of individuals who engage in stalking behavior. To achieve these objectives, the descriptive approach was adopted, using a thematic synthesis approach to group the findings into major conceptual categories. Accordingly, the results of 72 experimental and correlational studies that examined stalking behavior were reviewed. The results of the current study indicated that stalking behaviors are driven by a set of psychological and personality factors, including attachment insecurity, poor emotional regulation, jealousy, and rejection sensitivity. The current findings also revealed that women are more exposed to stalking, although male victims are underreported due to gender-related stigma. Among the most prominent psychological effects on stalking victims are increased levels of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and social withdrawal, whereas perpetrators often exhibit traits such as impulsivity, cognitive distortions, and poor emotional regulation. Notably, many stalkers report experiencing obsession, emotional disturbances, and impaired functioning during and after engaging in stalking behavior. Furthermore, societal responses to stalking are often shaped by gender-related stereotypes, as male stalkers are perceived as more dangerous, whereas female stalkers tend to be marginalized, despite evidence of the psychological harm they may cause.