The influence of contextual information regarding the breakdown of relationships and perpetrator-target sex composition on perceptions of relational stalking

Scott, Adrian J.; Duff, Simon C.; Sheridan, Lorraine; Rajakaruna, Nikki

Abstract

The present study examines the influence of prior relationship (with contextual information regarding the breakdown of the relationship) and perpetrator-target sex composition on perceptions of relational stalking. The study employed an experimental 7 × 2 independent measures design, and the sample comprised 1,260 members of the community residing in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Participants received one of 14 versions of a hypothetical scenario and responded to scale items concerning the situation described. The situation was perceived to be most serious when the perpetrator was a stranger or a physically violent ex-partner and least serious when the perpetrator was an ex-partner of an unfaithful target. Scenarios involving a male perpetrator and a female victim were also perceived to be more serious than scenarios involving a female perpetrator and a male target. It is apparent therefore that the context of the relationship breakdown and the sex of the perpetrator and target significantly influence perceptions of relational stalking.

Citation

Scott, A. J., Duff, S. C., Sheridan, L., & Rajakaruna, N. (2019). The influence of contextual information regarding the breakdown of relationships and perpetrator-target sex composition on perceptions of relational stalking. Psychology, Crime and Law, 25(4), 364-380. https://doi.org/10.1080/1068316X.2018.1529231

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 20, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Oct 5, 2018
• Publication Date: 2019
• Deposit Date: Oct 4, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 6, 2019
• Journal: Psychology, Crime and Law
• Print ISSN: 1068-316X
• Electronic ISSN: 1477-2744
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 25
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 364-380
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1068316X.2018.1529231
• Keywords: Pathology and Forensic Medicine; Law; General Psychology
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1147266
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1068316X.2018.1529231
• Additional Information: This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Psychology, Crime and Law on 3 October 2018, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/1068316X.2018.1529231.