The Role of Perceived Social Reactions and Self-Blame in Relation to Mental and Physical Health in Women Stalking Survivors

The present study examined the relationship between social reactions and health outcomes in women stalking survivors. 237 cisgender women who had experienced stalking completed an online survey that included measures of stalking victimization, social reactions, self-blame, and depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and physical health symptoms. The results demonstrated a significant indirect association between negative social reactions and all three health outcomes through self-blame. More specifically, as negative social reactions increased, self-blame also increased. Furthermore, as self-blame increased, all three health difficulties also increased. Conversely, the indirect association between positive social reactions and all three health outcomes through self-blame was not significant. The results are discussed within the context of the larger trauma literature, with particular emphasis on future research and implications.