Stalking Behaviors within Couples of Lesbian and Bisexual Women

Silvia Di Battista*, Leonardo Carlucci, Paola Biondi, Tunahan Sari, Monica Pivetti

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

    44 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    Introduction: There has been limited research on stalking behaviors in same-gender intimate relationships. Research has suggested that early abusive experiences represent relevant risk factors that may have a correlation with experiences of violence in intimate partner relationships. Methods: In this cross-sectional research, in 2016, lesbian and bisexual (LB) Italian women (N = 243) filled in a self-report questionnaire including ad hoc measures of childhood abuse and stalking behaviors. Results: Results indicated that LB women reporting higher levels of childhood abuse also reported higher rates of stalking behaviors in their adult same-gender relationships. Coming out as lesbian or bisexual individuals was not a factor related to rates of stalking. Conclusions: This study confirms the prediction that childhood traumatic experiences represent risk factors that may be related to LB women’s experiences of stalking in same-gender intimate relationships. Policy Implications: These results highlight the importance of spreading more knowledge of what is correct and incorrect to expect in an intimate relationship between women.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1530-1540
    Number of pages11
    JournalSexuality Research and Social Policy
    Volume21
    Issue number4
    Early online date17-Nov-2023
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Dec-2024

    Keywords

    • Bisexual women
    • Childhood abuse
    • Coming out
    • Lesbian women
    • Same-gender intimate partner violence
    • Stalking

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Stalking Behaviors within Couples of Lesbian and Bisexual Women'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this