Systematic review finds an elevated prevalence of Cluster B personality disorders among stalkers, highlighting the need for specialized psychological interventions to curb recidivism.
Background: Stalking, only recently criminalized in some countries, involves persistent harassment with severe psychological effects. Research explores prevalence, typologies, personality profiles, gender differences and the need for prevention and treatment strategies. Methods: A systematic search was conducted on Medline/Pubmed and Scopus in mixed clinical-forensic populations. The analysis included 2378 patients with stalking behavior, 14% of whom were female. Results: According to PRISMA (2021) guidelines, 12 papers were included in the systematic review from an initial sample of 200. A higher prevalence of PDs, particularly within Cluster B (i.e., antisocial, narcissistic, borderline, PD) was observed among stalkers. Moreover, PDs appear to be associated with recurrent stalking behavior, whereas findings remain inconsistent regarding their role in the development of violent behaviors. Conclusions: PD diagnosis appears to be a risk factor associated with stalking behavior. A more precise research focus on the evaluation of the individual's psychological profile is warranted in order to prevent recidivism and plan tailored interventions.
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Flutti et al. (2026) studied this question.
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