Stalking behavior: A literature review and suggested functional analytic assessment technology

This article provides a discussion of stalking behavior a phenomenon very much in the forefront of public, legal, and law enforcement attention. To rectify, the lack of a consistent and clear definition of stalking behavior in the literature, a behavioral definition is suggested. A review and critique of the existing literature is also provided. The functional analysis is proposed as a means to assist both intervention and research efforts. It is posited that functional analyses will help illuminate the factors that maintain stalking behavior subsequently guiding intervention. it is also suggested that the information gained by consistent and widespread use of functional analyses will provide points of departure for future research. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd.