An Ecological Understanding of the Risk Factors Associated With Stalking Behavior: Implications for Social Work Practice

In this article, we review the literature on the risk factors that are associated with stalking victimization and perpetration using Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory. More specifically, we identified individual-level (sociodemographic), interpersonal-level (the relationship between the perpetrators and victims), societal-level (policies), and cultural-level (gender role socialization and social norms) factors that are associated with stalking behavior. We then draw implications from our review for assessment, prevention, and intervention strategies for social workers who are working with victims and perpetrators of stalking.