Psychology of Cyberstalking
The "normal" stalker might be what you expected, generally single, lonely, males, in their late 30's. In a study done by Paul Mullen M.B.B.S and Michele Pathe M.B.B.S published in the American Journal of Psychiatry they found that, 79% of stalkers identified in the study were male. Their ages ranged from 15 to 75 years, with a median of 38 years. Over half of the stalkers had never had a long-term relationship; another 30% were currently separated or divorced. Unemployed stalkers, which were 39% of the study, made up a substantial proportion of the group, although the majority, 56%, were employed. The study found that 8% of the identified stalkers occupied professional and senior management positions, less than 1% were students, and well under 1% described themselves as a housewife. (Mullen & Pathe, 1999)
Mullen & Pathe's research went on further to identify the modus operandi (MO) of each stalker identified in the study. The research discovered that the duration of stalking varied from 4 weeks to 20 years with an average of 12 months. Although some stalkers favored one particular form of harassment medium (internet only, phone calls, physical stalking), only 2% confined themselves to a single approach. In 45% of the cases, between three and five methods were employed, and 10% of the stalkers used seven different forms of harassment.
One scary aspect of stalking is that a seemingly harmless obsession can quickly turn to violent thoughts and actions if the stalker does not feel they are achieving the result they want. Threats were made to the victim by 58% of the stalkers and to third party acquaintances of the victims by 39% of the stalkers. 25% threatened only the victim, 6% only third parties, and 33% of the stalkers threatened both the victim and at least one third party acquaintance. Stalkers, even in cyberspace, often turn to a physical pursuit by the stalker. In the research, physical property was damaged by 40%, the most common target being the victim's car. Even scarier is physical harm caused by the stalker which occurred in 36% of the cases where the stalker attacked the victim, and 6% assaulted third parties. The physical injuries were largely confined to bruises and abrasions. Sexual attacks happened in 4% of the assaults.
It is seen in most stalkers that some form of a physiological disorder preexisted to the stalking including but not limited to, axis I diagnoses, delusional disorders, morbid jealousy, schizophrenia, erotomanic delusions, bipolar disorder, major depression, anxiety disorder, and other different forms of personality disorders. 39% of the stalkers in the study also had previous criminal convictions, where most of the convictions stemmed from violence or sexual assault, but very rarely did the stalker have a previous stalking conviction.
The basis behind the research was to alert potential victims of the generalizations of stalkers. Obviously, stereotyping is not advocated here, but it is always important no matter what aspect of life to always be on the lookout for dangerous situations and to be able to compile information and protect yourself. If a victim better understands their potential attacker, this allows for the victim to have a better chance of removing themselves from a potentially dangerous situation. (Mullen, 1999)