Prevalence and sociodemographic factors associated with stalking victimization among college students

J Am Coll Health. 2020 Aug-Sep;68(6):624-630. doi: 10.1080/07448481.2019.1583664. Epub 2019 Mar 25.

Abstract

Objective: This study's purpose was to examine the prevalence and sociodemographic factors associated with stalking victimization among a diverse sample of college students. Participants: Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey administered in November 2015 to students 18 and older on 8 academic universities in a Southwestern university system (N = 26,417). Methods: Descriptive statistics were used to assess the prevalence of stalking experiences across student populations. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine associations between sociodemographic factors and stalking victimization. Results: A total of 17.4% of students reported stalking victimization since entering college. Cisgender females, transgender/gender-nonconforming, and sexual minority students had higher odds of stalking victimization than their counterparts, whereas Latino/a students had lower odds of stalking victimization compared to White nonHispanic students. Conclusions: A notable proportion of college students have experienced stalking. Disparities found among student populations are concerning and warrant further investigation.

Keywords: Administration; gender; mental health.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Bullying / psychology
  • Bullying / statistics & numerical data*
  • Crime Victims / psychology
  • Crime Victims / statistics & numerical data*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Ethnicity / psychology
  • Ethnicity / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Sexual and Gender Minorities / statistics & numerical data
  • Stalking / epidemiology*
  • Stalking / psychology
  • Students / psychology
  • Students / statistics & numerical data*
  • Universities
  • Young Adult