Identifying the characteristics associated with intimate partner stalking: a mixed methods structured review and narrative synthesis

Abstract

The empirical research on the clinical management of intimate partner stalking perpetrators remains in the early stages of informing forensic practice. This study presents the first known structured review which seeks to inform intervention pathways for this group through illuminating the characteristics associated with intimate partner stalking. A systematic search was conducted across five academic databases, reference lists of papers were reviewed, and ‘experts’ contacted to identify relevant papers. The search strategy identified 2674 papers. Twenty-two studies were selected in line with predetermined inclusion/exclusion criteria and assessed for methodological quality. All studies employed an observational research design; eighteen quantitative, two qualitative, and two mixed methods design studies were included. Data were extracted and subjected to narrative synthesis. Overall, intimate partner stalking perpetrators presented with some similar characteristics to intimate partner violence perpetrators, whilst some characteristics were deemed more prevalent to intimate partner stalking perpetrators. The findings illustrate there are likely to be subtypes of intimate partner stalking perpetrators, requiring a bespoke approach to intervention. Limitations are presented and recommendations made for future research. The wider implications for forensic practice in informing the clinical management of this group and approaches to intervention are discussed.