What is the Difference between Violent and Non-violent Stalkers?

A study in a recent issue of the J ournal of Forensic Sciences examines different factors that differentiated between physically violent and nonviolent stalkers. Using a statistical analysis of 103 Canadian cases of "simple obsessional" stalking, a model was developed that showed an 81% success rate in discriminating between the two types of stalkers. Overall, physically violent stalkers are more likely to: (a) have a stronger previous emotional attachment toward their victim; (b) be more highly fixated/obsessed with their victim; (c) have a higher degree of perceived negative affect towards their victim; (d) engage in more verbal threats toward the victim; and (e) have a history of battering/domestic abuse towards the victim. The variables that best differentiate between physically violent and nonviolent stalkers appear to characterize underlying themes of anger, vengeance, emotional arousal, humiliation, projection of blame, and insecure attachment pathology.

Click here for the abstract.