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Prevalence of Cyberstalking and Previous Offline Victimization in a Sample of Italian University Students

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  • daniela acquadro maran

    (Work and Organisational Well-being Research Group, Department of Psychology, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy)

  • tatiana begotti

    (Department of Psychology, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy)

Abstract

Cyberstalking has been defined as the use of electronic communication devices (including the Internet and email) to stalk another person. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of cyberstalking between victims of cyberstalking and victims of cyberstalking and previous offline victimization in their lifetimes. Our hypothesis was that cyberstalking had an impact on victims’ wellbeing and contributed to increases in physical and emotional symptoms, anxiety and depression, and that those symptoms increased in victims who had suffered previous offline victimization. In an effort to investigate the effects of cyberstalking, a questionnaire was self-administered to 229 Italian students. A total of 107 participants (46.7%) indicated that they had been victims of cyberstalking. Seventy-two of them (67.3%) were victims of both cyberstalking and other forms of offline victimization in their lifetimes. Overall, our findings showed that the prevalence of cyberstalking in our sample was higher than in previous investigations. With regard to consequences, victims indicated higher scores for depression and anxiety than non-victims. In particular, victims of cyberstalking and previous offline victimization in their lifetimes experienced more depression and symptoms of trait anxiety than victims of cyberstalking only and non-victims. This investigation suggests the importance of preventing cyberstalking and offering support to victims of cyberstalking.

Suggested Citation

  • daniela acquadro maran & tatiana begotti, 2019. "Prevalence of Cyberstalking and Previous Offline Victimization in a Sample of Italian University Students," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-10, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:8:y:2019:i:1:p:30-:d:199418
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Tatiana Begotti & Mariano Alex Ghigo & Daniela Acquadro Maran, 2022. "Victims of Known and Unknown Cyberstalkers: A Questionnaire Survey in an Italian Sample," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-13, April.
    2. Tatiana Begotti & Daniela Acquadro Maran, 2019. "Characteristics of Cyberstalking Behavior, Consequences, and Coping Strategies: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Sample of Italian University Students," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-11, May.
    3. Tatiana Begotti & Martina Bollo & Daniela Acquadro Maran, 2020. "Coping Strategies and Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Young Adult Victims of Cyberstalking: A Questionnaire Survey in an Italian Sample," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-13, August.
    4. Kushanthi S. Harasgama & Samurdhi Jayamaha, 2023. "Online Harassment in Sri Lanka: A Thematic Analysis," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-13, March.
    5. Kaur, Puneet & Dhir, Amandeep & Tandon, Anushree & Alzeiby, Ebtesam A. & Abohassan, Abeer Ahmed, 2021. "A systematic literature review on cyberstalking. An analysis of past achievements and future promises," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
    6. Delia Montero-Fernández & Angel Hernando-Gómez & Antonio Daniel García-Rojas & Francisco Javier Del Río Olvera, 2023. "Click Surveillance of Your Partner! Digital Violence among University Students in England," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-14, March.

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