The Prevalence and Effects of Stalking.
Journal
Deutsches Arzteblatt international
ISSN: 1866-0452
Titre abrégé: Dtsch Arztebl Int
Pays: Germany
ID NLM: 101475967
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
15 05 2020
15 05 2020
Historique:
received:
15
11
2019
revised:
15
11
2019
accepted:
11
02
2020
entrez:
14
7
2020
pubmed:
14
7
2020
medline:
9
9
2020
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
In 2003, we carried out the first epidemiological study on the frequency and effects of stalking in Germany that was based on a random population sample. We repeated the study with the same design in 2018 in order to assess any potential alterations over time in the frequency of stalking and of psychological problems in the affected persons. As far as we know, this is the first replication study of this kind to be carried out anywhere. 1000 women and 1000 men were randomly chosen from the residents' registration data of Mannheim, Germany. Each one of them received, by mail, a comprehensive questionnaire about stalking, as well as the WHO-5 Well-Being Index and the German version of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-D). In the Mannheim population samples (2003: N = 675; 2018: N = 444), the lifetime prevalence of being stalked was 11.6% in 2003 (95% confidence interval, [9.2; 14.4]) and 10.8% in 2018 [8.1; 13.7]. In both 2003 and 2018, persons who had been stalked had significantly worse mental well-being than unaffected persons (WHO-5 summated score 2003: 11.2 [9.7; 12.6] vs. 15.5 [15.1; 16.0], WHO-5 summated score 2018: 11.8 [10.1; 13.6] vs. 14.5 [13.9; 15.0]). A markedly higher percentage of persons who had been stalked also fulfilled the syndrome criteria for at least one mental disorder (PHQ-D 2003: 50.0% vs. 22.5%; odds ratio [OR]: 3.5 [2.1; 5.6], PHQ-D 2018: 46.5% vs. 24.4%; OR: 2.7 [1.4; 5.1]). In 2018, as in 2003, persons who had been stalked were dissatisfied with, or unaware of, the opportu - nities that they had to get help from the police and the judicial system. Stalking remains a major problem that must be taken seriously. Physicians and psychologists should be well informed about it in order to help affected persons who turn to them for medical and psychological assistance.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
In 2003, we carried out the first epidemiological study on the frequency and effects of stalking in Germany that was based on a random population sample. We repeated the study with the same design in 2018 in order to assess any potential alterations over time in the frequency of stalking and of psychological problems in the affected persons. As far as we know, this is the first replication study of this kind to be carried out anywhere.
METHODS
1000 women and 1000 men were randomly chosen from the residents' registration data of Mannheim, Germany. Each one of them received, by mail, a comprehensive questionnaire about stalking, as well as the WHO-5 Well-Being Index and the German version of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-D).
RESULTS
In the Mannheim population samples (2003: N = 675; 2018: N = 444), the lifetime prevalence of being stalked was 11.6% in 2003 (95% confidence interval, [9.2; 14.4]) and 10.8% in 2018 [8.1; 13.7]. In both 2003 and 2018, persons who had been stalked had significantly worse mental well-being than unaffected persons (WHO-5 summated score 2003: 11.2 [9.7; 12.6] vs. 15.5 [15.1; 16.0], WHO-5 summated score 2018: 11.8 [10.1; 13.6] vs. 14.5 [13.9; 15.0]). A markedly higher percentage of persons who had been stalked also fulfilled the syndrome criteria for at least one mental disorder (PHQ-D 2003: 50.0% vs. 22.5%; odds ratio [OR]: 3.5 [2.1; 5.6], PHQ-D 2018: 46.5% vs. 24.4%; OR: 2.7 [1.4; 5.1]). In 2018, as in 2003, persons who had been stalked were dissatisfied with, or unaware of, the opportu - nities that they had to get help from the police and the judicial system.
CONCLUSION
Stalking remains a major problem that must be taken seriously. Physicians and psychologists should be well informed about it in order to help affected persons who turn to them for medical and psychological assistance.
Identifiants
pubmed: 32657747
pii: arztebl.2020.0347
doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2020.0347
pmc: PMC7373813
doi:
pii:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
347-353Références
Nervenarzt. 2002 Nov;73(11):1112-5
pubmed: 12430056
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Feb 28;16(5):
pubmed: 30823416
JAMA. 1999 Nov 10;282(18):1737-44
pubmed: 10568646
J Interpers Violence. 2017 Sep;32(17):2605-2625
pubmed: 26149678
Eur Psychiatry. 2007 Apr;22(3):142-5
pubmed: 17145170
Br J Psychiatry. 1997 Jan;170:12-7
pubmed: 9068768
Nervenarzt. 2007 Jul;78(7):764, 766-8, 770-2
pubmed: 17119890
Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2016 Dec;39(4):663-673
pubmed: 27836159
Psychother Psychosom. 2015;84(3):167-76
pubmed: 25831962
Am J Prev Med. 2018 Oct;55(4):433-444
pubmed: 30166082
J Am Acad Psychiatry Law. 2003;31(4):432-9
pubmed: 14974798
Br J Psychiatry. 2005 Aug;187:168-72
pubmed: 16055829
Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2002 Feb;36(1):114-20
pubmed: 11929447
J Interpers Violence. 2019 Feb 10;:886260519829280
pubmed: 30741095
Psychiatr Prax. 2009 Oct;36(7):334-7
pubmed: 19724999
J Interpers Violence. 2018 Oct 24;:886260518807905
pubmed: 30353775
Am J Prev Med. 2006 Aug;31(2):172-5
pubmed: 16829335
MMWR Surveill Summ. 2014 Sep 5;63(8):1-18
pubmed: 25188037
Violence Against Women. 2020 Sep;26(11):1343-1361
pubmed: 31359841