Violence and intimacy-seeking in a female adolescent stalker: specific characteristics as compared to adult stalkers. A brief review of the literature

Abstract

The case of an adolescent female stalker came to our observation when the Juvenile Court of Justice commissioned an expert opinion. This case led us to reflect on the characteristics of juvenile stalking as compared to the adult phenomenon. The literature demonstrates that there are substantial differences between adult and adolescent stalkers. The data in literature were not sufficient to distinguish a single category in which to classify the case we observed, obliging us to explore further and examine the correlation between stalking and attachment style. We claim that the case presented could be interpreted as a form of protest against the loss of the attachment figure. The authors believe that to gain a better understanding of theharassment adopted in juvenile stalking it is important to explore the psychological, psychopathological, family, and social factors.