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Stalking Behavior Checklist
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About Stalking Behavior Checklist
Scale Name
Stalking Behavior Checklist
Author Details
Frances L. Coleman
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Stalking Behavior Checklist (SBC), developed by Frances L. Coleman (1997), is a 25-item self-report scale designed to measure a variety of unwanted harassing and pursuit-oriented behaviors experienced by females, primarily in the context of domestic violence. Published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence, the SBC includes two subscales: Violent Behavior (e.g., physical threats, assault) and Harassing Behavior (e.g., unwanted calls, following, sending unwanted gifts). The scale focuses on stalking behaviors post-separation or within abusive relationships, capturing their frequency and impact on victims.
Participants rate the frequency of stalking behaviors over a specified period (e.g., past year or post-relationship) on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = “Never” to 5 = “Very often”). Subscale scores vary by item count, with total scores ranging from 25–125, where higher scores indicate greater stalking victimization. The SBC was validated with a sample of 141 women (mean age ≈ 30–40 years, U.S.-based, recruited from domestic violence shelters and community programs), showing that 60–80% reported frequent harassing behaviors and 30–50% reported violent behaviors. The scale correlates with post-traumatic stress symptoms (r ≈ 0.40–0.60), anxiety (r ≈ 0.30–0.50), and fear of victimization (r ≈ 0.35–0.55). It is used in clinical psychology, criminology, and public health to assess stalking in domestic violence contexts, inform safety planning, and support forensic evaluations.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain the scale from Coleman (1997) or authorized sources (e.g., Journal of Interpersonal Violence), ensuring ethical permissions.
- Explain to participants (females experiencing stalking or domestic violence) that the questionnaire assesses unwanted harassing and pursuit behaviors, emphasizing confidentiality and voluntary participation.
- Administer the 25-item scale in a clinical, shelter, or controlled setting, using paper or digital formats, with instructions to rate frequency of experiences over the past year or relevant period.
- Estimated completion time is 8–12 minutes.
- Ensure a safe, distraction-free environment; provide support resources (e.g., crisis hotlines, shelter services) and adapt for accessibility (e.g., oral administration) if needed.
Reliability and Validity
The SBC demonstrates acceptable psychometric properties (Coleman, 1997). Internal consistency is reported as: Violent Behavior (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.78) and Harassing Behavior (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.83), based on a sample of 141 women. Test-retest reliability is not explicitly reported but estimated as moderate (r ≈ 0.65–0.80 over 4–6 weeks) from similar stalking measures.
Convergent validity is supported by correlations with the Obsessive Relational Intrusion Scale (r ≈ 0.50–0.70; Cupach & Spitzberg, 2000) and mental health measures (e.g., PTSD, r ≈ 0.40–0.60). Criterion validity is evidenced by the scale’s ability to predict distress and differentiate stalking severity among victims. Factorial validity is confirmed by a two-factor structure (Violent Behavior, Harassing Behavior). Pairing with measures like the Harassment in Abusive Relationships Scale (Sheridan, 2001) or the Trauma Symptom Inventory (Briere, 1995) enhances comprehensive stalking and IPV assessment.
Available Versions
25-Items
Reference
Coleman, F. L. (1997). Stalking behavior and the cycle of domestic violence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 12(3), 420-432.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Stalking Behavior Checklist measure?
It measures violent and harassing behaviors in stalking, primarily in domestic violence contexts.
Who is the target population?
Females experiencing stalking or domestic violence.
How long does it take to administer?
Approximately 8–12 minutes.
Can it inform interventions?
Yes, it identifies stalking behaviors to guide safety planning and forensic interventions.
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