Graduate Studies

 

First Advisor

Mario J. Scalora

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Department

Psychology

Date of this Version

6-2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Citation

A dissertation presented to the faculty of the Graduate College of the University of Nebraska in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy

Major: Psychology

Under the supervision of Professor Mario J. Scalora

Lincoln, Nebraska, June 2024

Comments

Copyright 2024, Madeline M. Eyer. Used by permission

Abstract

Stalking, harassment, dating violence, physical assault, and sexual assault continue to occur at elevated frequencies on college campuses. Most subjects cease engagement in these behaviors within a short period; however, a subset of individuals will engage in these intrusive behaviors over an extended length of time. While persistence has been examined in the stalking literature, only one study has examined risk factors of persistence in a college sample, and no studies have examined persistence for adverse behaviors outside of stalking (i.e., harassment, dating violence, physical assault, and sexual assault). Given the risk for physical and psychological harm toward targets as a result of these protracted behaviors, the current study sought to examine the characteristics, behaviors, and motivations of subjects who engaged in persistent, adverse behaviors in an effort to preemptively identify individuals at risk for persistence. Data were gathered from university threat assessment records (N = 494), which allowed researchers to gain comprehensive information on cases and examine a wide range of adverse behaviors and subjects beyond what most previous studies have collected. Overall, results indicated approximately 33% of subjects persisted for longer than three months, with 18.5% engaging in problematic behaviors for over one year. Subject characteristics that predicted engagement in persistence included an intimate partner and acquaintance relationship type, both of which also predicted significantly longer durations of persistence. Additionally, older age was significantly associated with longer durations. Regarding subject behaviors, repeated phone calls, physical following, and approaching the target face-to-face predicted engagement in persistence, and the presence of multiple methods of contact (e.g., repeated calls and approach behavior) predicted longer durations. Finally, three motivations were significantly associated with persistence: personal- and policy-oriented motivations predicted engagement in persistence, and the presence of justified violence predicted shorter durations. The results suggested strategies for effectively assessing risk of persistence on college campuses. Implications for management practices and future research are discussed.

Advisor: Mario J. Scalora

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