Award Date

5-15-2026

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Criminal Justice

First Committee Member

Amber Krushas

Second Committee Member

Margaret Alexis Kennedy

Third Committee Member

Terance Miethe

Fourth Committee Member

Garrett Pace

Number of Pages

287

Abstract

Research assessing stalking—or a pattern of repeated, unwanted behaviors directed at a specific individual that causes fear, distress, or concern for their safety—has identified several factors that can increase a person’s vulnerability to this form of victimization (e.g., demographic predictors, lifestyle factors, individual characteristics) (Fissel et al., 2023; Fox et al., 2016; Reyns et al., 2016; Reyns & Scherer, 2016). However, stalking can manifest within a wide range of relational contexts, suggesting that risk factors identified for stalking victimization more broadly may be insufficient across different victim-offender relationship types (e.g., stranger, intimate partner) (Reyns et al., 2016; Strauss et al., 2019). Despite this, previous research has traditionally ignored any unique differences across these victim-offender relationship types (e.g., Fissel et al., 2023; Reyns et al., 2016; Reyns & Scherer, 2016).

Recognizing that each relationship type presents unique situational contexts, this doctoral dissertation proposes a more nuanced approach to exploring risk factors of stalking across three different relationship types. More specifically, a parallel integrated stalking victimization model is introduced and considers the complexity of stalking risk factors across relational contexts [(i.e., stranger, acquaintance, and intimate partner (dating, current intimate, and ex-intimate)]. Drawing from theoretical frameworks in victimology (lifestyle-routine activities theory, target congruence theory) and criminology (general theory of crime), this model explores risk factors within each theory that consider the potential impact of these three relationship types. By integrating these theoretical frameworks side-by-side, this dissertation provides a grounded foundation for understanding how and why stalking risk factors may differ based on the victimoffender relationship.

To accomplish this, first, a systematic review of existing stalking risk factors was conducted using a variety of databases (i.e., Google Scholar, University of Nevada Las Vegas Lied Library, PubMed, Web of Science). Search terms combine keywords related to stalking victimization (e.g., “unwanted pursuit,” and/or “cyberstalking”). Included studies are (1) peerreviewed, (2) in English, and (3) focused specifically on stalking victimization. Studies that explored perpetrators rather than victims were excluded, as the literature review focuses on stalking victimization experiences. Once all applicable studies had been identified, the literature was organized in tables that captured (1) each study’s operationalization of stalking victimization, (2) data sources and methods (e.g., data title, collection year, sample, and a brief description), and (3) main findings regarding the identified correlates. Next, the tables are used to inform main takeaways from this body of literature. This systematic review is important for (a) establishing a clear understanding of how stalking victimization has been conceptualized and measured in prior research, (b) identifying gaps in existing research, and (c) ensuring that this dissertation built on an informed foundation. Findings from the systematic review indicate that, while demographic and individual risk factors are well established, lifestyle and situational dimensions of risk remain comparatively underexamined, beyond adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and substance use, therefore restricting a holistic understanding of stalking victimization. Notably, most studies relied on a binary measure of stalking victimization, with none disaggregating outcomes by victim-offender relationship type, thereby limiting potential use of situational risk factors and meaningful differences in stalking risk.

After completing the systematic review, secondary data from a 2019 to 2020 National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Longitudinal Survey of Interpersonal Violence among College-aged Men and Women were used to analyze theoretical risk factors across relationship types. This data examines victimization and violence among 1,050 of 18-year-olds in the United States, with a focus on sexual assault and rape, dating violence, violence committed by peers, violence committed by strangers, and—most pertinent to the current dissertation—stalking. A multinomial firth regression model assessed risk factors from lifestyle-routine activities theory, target congruence theory, and the general theory of crime for each of the three victim-offender relationship types. Findings highlight the importance of disaggregating stalking victimization by relationship type. This is reinforced by several notable outcomes, as no significant predictors emerged for stranger stalking victimization, whereas higher ACEs were associated with acquaintance stalking victimization, and ACEs, deviant peer associations, and sexual activity were associated with intimate partner stalking victimization. Overall, these findings overcome current limitations of stalking victimization research by applying multiple theoretical frameworks to stalking victimization and advancing the current knowledge on stalking victimization risk factors within the three relationship types. As such, this dissertation offers a more nuanced direction for future research in theoretical development, prevention, and policy efforts.

Keywords

Relationship Types; Risk Factors; Stalking Victimization

Disciplines

Criminology | Criminology and Criminal Justice | Social and Behavioral Sciences

File Format

PDF

File Size

2800 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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