Special Issue on stalking: commentary

Abstract

Purpose

The research literature on stalking has proliferated in recent years. Even so, gaps remain. This commentary paper introduces a Special Issue on stalkers.

Design/methodology/approach

This Special Issue showcases Rachael Wheatley’s mixed methods work with male stalkers. These stalkers were actively engaged in the research process. Importantly, Wheatley’s studies took a phenomenological approach, exploring how these men construed their reality for engaging in stalking behaviour.

Findings

This Special Issue highlights many of the factors that may increase the risk that a person becomes a stalker, including disordered attachment, depression, entitlement, emotional regulation, stress management and narcissism.

Originality/value

Taken together, this collection of papers points to a need for practitioners and researchers alike to break out of silos and take a holistic and comprehensive approach to tackling the widespread problem of stalking.

Citation

Sheridan, L. (2023), "Special Issue on stalking: commentary", Journal of Criminal Psychology, Vol. 13 No. 2, pp. 72-75. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCP-07-2021-0029