Beneath the surface: A latent class analysis of stalking tactics and their psychological impact in a population of Danish help-seeking victims

Introduction: This study investigated stalking victimization profiles among 476 help-seeking individuals in Denmark to identify distinct behavior patterns and associated psychological effects. It was hypothesized that multiple stalking behavior patterns would emerge, each linked to different mental health impairments. Methods: Data were collected through the Danish Stalking Center from 2020 to 2023. Latent class analysis was used to identify stalking behavior patterns. Multinomial logistic regression examined predictors of class membership, while multivariate analysis explored associations between class membership and mental health outcomes. Results: Four distinct classes of stalking behavior were identified: 1) ‘‘High intensity stalking with gifts and moderate risk of physical aggression,'' 2) ‘‘High intensity stalking with physical aggression,'' 3) ‘‘Stalking with no gifts or physical aggression,'' and 4) ‘‘Stalking with gifts and low risk of invasion and aggression.'' Victim demographics were minimal predictors of class membership, with intimate partner relationships and having children associated with specific class memberships. Mental health outcomes varied significantly across classes, revealing a dose-response pattern where higher intensity stalking behaviors corresponded to more severe mental health impacts. The ‘‘High intensity stalking with gifts and moderate risk of physical aggression'' class reported the highest levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, disturbances in self-organization (DSO) symptoms, anxiety, and social life impairment. The ‘‘High intensity stalking with physical aggression'' class showed the highest depression scores and greatest impairment in family life. There were no class-differences in risk of endorsing criteria for a probable diagnosis of PTSD or Complex PTSD. Conclusion: The study reveals diverse manifestations of stalking behavior and their differential impacts on victim's mental health. The findings suggest that the presence of gifts or physical aggression is associated with more significant psychological and functional impairments. These insights can inform targeted interventions and support strategies for stalking victims.