Psychological Background of Obsessional Following or Stalking Behavior

Abstract

Stalking or obsessional following is defined as a pattern of repeated, unwanted, intrusive behavior imposed by one person on another that creates fear or serious distress in the victim. Although research on the subject has provided important information over the last three decades, the literature on stalking is mostly not based on a theoretical basis. Additionally, there are limited studies on the psychological and social mechanisms that reveal and maintain stalking behavior. Therefore, it is important to review the explaining the psychological background that causes the emergence and maintenance of stalking behavior. In this current study, 'attachment theory ’as an example of single-factor theories and 'relational goal pursuit theory ’as an example of multi-factor theories that put forward to understand stalking behavior are discussed. In addition to these theories, the psychodynamic model used by Reid Meloy pioneer in the stalking literature, to explain stalking behavior was examined. The study aims to better understand the psychological structure of obsessional followers; thus, it is intended to be a resource for creating effective treatment and intervention programs for stalker profiles.