By Isabella Wilson

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Laura Wilson

Abstract

Stalking is defined by repeated behaviors directed towards an individual that are intrusive and unwanted. About 1 in 3 women report being stalked in their lifetime, making it an important topic to study. The study aimed to investigate the moderating effect of self-blame on the relationship between social reactions and depressive symptoms in female stalking survivors. Self-blame was hypothesized to moderate the positive association between negative social reactions and depressive symptoms. Additionally, I hypothesized that self-blame would moderate the negative association between positive support and depressive symptoms. The results indicated that self-blame was a significant moderator for the relationship between turning against social reactions and depressive symptoms, but not for unsupportive social reactions and depressive symptoms. In addition, the moderation of self-blame on the relationship between positive support and depressive symptoms was nonsignificant. When working with female stalking survivors, clinicians should assess and reframe negative social reactions to disclosure.