Every Breath You Take: A Theoretically Informed Exploration of Characteristics Associated with Stalking

Despite the exceptionally detrimental impact on victims and perpetrators and the significant cost to the general community, stalking remains relatively poorly understood. This thesis seeks to contribute insight into the role of key psychological characteristics that may contribute to stalking behaviour. Specifically, this thesis explores: 1) the role of goal engagement and disengagement in stalking perpetration, 2) the psychological constructs of self-control, impulsivity, relational rumination and coping both their presentation and occurrence amongst those who stalk, and 3) the nature of stalking behaviour - that is, the type and frequency of intrusive behaviours - between stalkers identified in the forensic context and self-reported stalkers present in the general community.