Stalking among Dutch adolescents : an explorative study

Abstract

Up until now, the situation of stalking among Dutch adolescents was unknown. This research aimed to address the gaps in our knowledge by answering five research questions about prevalence, relationships, motives, perspectives on (cyber-)stalking, and the role of peers and friends in perpetration and victimisation. In this research, 29 Dutch secondary educational students (N = 29) participated who were between 16 and 18 years old. It created a questionnaire that focused on multiple aspects, finding multiple associations and statements about the situation of stalking among Dutch adolescents. It used Pearson’s chi-square tests and a more lenient p-value of 0.10. The study found that 45% of the respondents were stalkers, and 59% were victims of stalking. Females and participants classified as offline stalkers were more likely to have a romantic relationship with the victim, while males were more likely to know the victim from a broader environment (p = .008, V = .737). Participants were more divided about determining if a situation was cyberstalking. Educational level (p = .096, V = .371), being classified as a victim of online stalking (p = .006, V = .562), and gender (p = .075, V = .423) played a role in the perspective and ideas about stalking. This research also examined the role of peers in the perpetration and victimisation of (cyber-)stalking, finding multiple variables influencing risk estimation. Adolescents who followed practical education were more likely to state that their classmates were stalkers (p = .041, V = .650), and offline stalkers are more likely to have friends who are stalking someone (p = .065, V = .516). In conclusion, this research provides valuable insights into the situation of stalking among Dutch secondary educational students between 16 and 18 years old, but further research is needed to construct a comprehensive approach to the issue.