Explaining Cyberstalking Victimization Against College Women Using a Multitheoretical Approach: Self-Control, Opportunity, and Control Balance. (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Reyns, Bradford W.; Fisher, Bonnie S.; Randa, Ryan
• Is Part Of: Crime and delinquency. Volume 64:Number 13(2018)
• Page Start: 1742
• Page End: 1764
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: cyberstalking -- online victimization -- opportunity -- self-control -- control balance; Crime -- United States -- Periodicals; Juvenile delinquency -- United States -- Periodicals; 364.05
• DOI: 10.1177/0011128717753116
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0011-1287

Abstract

The foci of the present study are to estimate the extent of cyberstalking victimization, and develop, specify, and test a theoretically based model of cyberstalking victimization among college women. A pursuit- and fear-based measure of victimization was utilized, and three leading theories—self-control, opportunity, and control balance—were tested as explanations of cyberstalking victimization. Key concepts from each theoretical perspective were operationalized using primary survey data from a probability sample of college women ( N = 1, 987) from two large universities. Results show that approximately 3.4% of female students were victims of cyberstalking during the academic year. Findings from a path model revealed significant direct effects for opportunity and having a control deficit on cyberstalking. The effects of self-control were indirect through these two measures, whereas having a control surplus was not related to victimization risk. Overall, findings support the application of these three theoretical approaches to predicting and explaining cyberstalking victimization.