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The Impact of Cyberstalking

Author

Listed:
  • Emma Short
  • Andrew Guppy
  • Jacqui A. Hart
  • James Barnes

Abstract

To access the diversity of the population who define themselves as having been cyberstalked and to assess the levels of anxiety and trauma that victims reported. Participants who were self-defined cyberstalking victims (N = 353) were asked to complete an online survey, which consisted of items relating to the experience of offline harassment and cyberstalking, general anxiety and post-traumatic stress symptoms. Participants were also asked to report on the type of relationship they had with the harasser, changes in working life, relationships, finance and third parties subsequent to the experience of being stalked. Overall, the findings revealed that victims of harassment may suffer high levels of psychological distress as a consequence of the experience, with victims of cyberstalking experiencing psychological effects which are broadly comparable to the symptoms seen in PTSD, leaving the victim experiencing feelings of isolation, irritability and guilt. In addition, as with other research on the effects of adverse experiences on mental health outcomes, the respondents of the survey reported much higher levels of psychological distress than levels that have been reported in the general population. It is suggested that both offline and cyberstalking victims suffer comparable high levels of psychological distress as a consequence of the experience and, despite the wide variation in individual experience and reactions to being cyberstalked, this study was able to determine patterns of psychological distress which were comparable to the symptoms associated with PTSD. Individuals displaying symptoms of PTSD find themselves experiencing adverse effects in major domains of life activity, such as social relations and occupational activities.

Suggested Citation

  • Emma Short & Andrew Guppy & Jacqui A. Hart & James Barnes, 2015. "The Impact of Cyberstalking," Studies in Media and Communication, Redfame publishing, vol. 3(2), pages 23-37, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:rfa:smcjnl:v:3:y:2015:i:2:p:23-37
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    File URL: http://redfame.com/journal/index.php/smc/article/view/970
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Tatiana Begotti & Martina Bollo & Daniela Acquadro Maran, 2020. "Coping Strategies and Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Young Adult Victims of Cyberstalking: A Questionnaire Survey in an Italian Sample," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-13, August.
    2. Joanne D. Worsley & Jacqueline M. Wheatcroft & Emma Short & Rhiannon Corcoran, 2017. "Victims’ Voices: Understanding the Emotional Impact of Cyberstalking and Individuals’ Coping Responses," SAGE Open, , vol. 7(2), pages 21582440177, May.
    3. Kaur, Puneet & Dhir, Amandeep & Tandon, Anushree & Alzeiby, Ebtesam A. & Abohassan, Abeer Ahmed, 2021. "A systematic literature review on cyberstalking. An analysis of past achievements and future promises," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    PTSD; trauma; cyberstalking; cyberharassment; harassment; quality of life; anxiety;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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