Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Zwanzger, EM.
The impact of stalking on psychiatrists, psychotherapists and psychologists An empirical follow up study about stalking frequency among health professionals and its emotional impact
[ Diplomarbeit ] Medical University of Graz; 2012. pp. 96
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- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Krammer Alexandra
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- Abstract:
- The topic of stalking is getting more and more important. This is evidenced among other things by the fact the anti-stalking law (§107a Criminal Code), now common and established in many western countries, took effect in Austria on the 1st July 2006. Stalking occurs when a stalker follows a victim for weeks, months, or even for years and shows molesting, threatening or attacking behavior, which causes the victim fear. Through the continual pursuit, the victims feel at the least insecure and afraid; in extreme cases, stalking can lead to posttraumatic stress disorder, or psychological disturbances. According to more recent studies, 10¿15% of males and 15¿20% of females are stalking victims relating to general population at some stage of their lives. The Grazer stalking-study (Krammer, Stepan, Baranyi, Kapfhammer & Rothenhäusler, 2007) showed a stalking frequency among the psychiatric professionals of 38,5%. According to the importance and meaning of this frequency extent, therefore in the course of this work the follow up study 2011 - about the Stalking occurrence among health professionals in the psychiatric context, such as psychiatrists, psychotherapists and psychologists caused by patients/clients - is attached and its emotional impact and its impact on mental health is investigated. METHOD: A total of 88 psychiatric health professionals out of the institutional/clinical field and private practice, participated in the anonymous survey in Graz from the end of May to the middle of September 2011. Because of the circumstance that the new study is a follow-up study to Krammer, Stepan, Baranyi, Kapfhammer and Rothenhäusler, 2007), nearly the same modified version of the questionnaire of Kamleiter based on the preliminary study was used for achieving a good comparability with the former study. This questionnaire includes the questions of the Impact of Event Scale of Horowitz to determine the existence and severity of posttraumatic stress symptoms. RESULTS: The prevalence of stalking among health professionals was 40,9 %. The gender distribution of stalking-victims in the psychiatric field is a different one, compared to the general population. Most of the victims working in psychiatric fields are male (56 %) and most of the perpetrators (clients/patients) are female (73,3 %). The most common behaviour of the stalkers was verbal nuisance (78,9 %). Personality disorders (F6) were the most frequently occurring diagnoses (35,5%), followed by schizophrenia, schizotypal, delusional disorders (F2) (22,6%). 32,4% of the victims developed symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. CONCLUSION: The results of the study show together with the former study that stalking is a frequently occurring and serious phenomenon. Due to this increasing occurrence of stalking among health professionals in the psychiatric context, such as psychiatrists, psychotherapists and psychologists, members of these professional groups should become experts in the issue of stalking. In the ideal case the psychiatrically active should be on the one hand able to develop self-protection strategies in case of self-affection, as well as on the other hand be able to give advice and support to victims. The credo in the case of stalking should be: Working together multiprofessionally and cooperatively, mobilizing resources, strengthening victims and victim¿s protection, bringing victims to treatment and being active, investing in prevention.