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Unwanted Pursuit Behavior Inventory
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About Unwanted Pursuit Behavior Inventory
Scale Name
Unwanted Pursuit Behavior Inventory
Author Details
Jennifer Langhinrichsen-Rohling, Russell E. Palarea, Jennifer Cohen, and Martin L. Rohling (2000); Russell E. Palarea and Jennifer Langhinrichsen-Rohling (1998)
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Unwanted Pursuit Behavior Inventory (UPBI), developed by Palarea and Langhinrichsen-Rohling (1998) and further validated by Langhinrichsen-Rohling, Palarea, Cohen, and Rohling (2000), is a 26-item self-report scale designed to measure the presence, impact, and motivation underlying a range of unwanted pursuit behaviors among males and females not currently in a relationship with a former partner. Published in Violence and Victims (2000) and initially as an unpublished measure (1998), the UPBI assesses behaviors such as unwanted phone calls, following, or sending gifts post-breakup. It includes two subscales: Mild Acts (items 1–13, e.g., persistent contact) and Severe Acts (items 14–26, e.g., threats, property damage). The scale focuses on post-relationship pursuit, often linked to stalking, and evaluates the negative impact of these behaviors.
Participants rate the frequency of behaviors over a specified period (e.g., since breakup) on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = “Never” to 5 = “Very often”), with additional ratings for negative impact (yes/no) and perceived motivation (e.g., desire to reconcile). Total scores range from 26–130, with a Severity Index calculated by summing negatively impactful items, double-weighting severe acts. The UPBI was validated with 282 college students (120 breakup sufferers, 162 relationship dissolvers, mean age ≈ 20 years, ~60% female, U.S.-based), showing 70–80% of breakup sufferers engaged in at least one pursuit behavior. The scale correlates with psychological distress (r ≈ 0.30–0.50), anxiety (r ≈ 0.25–0.45), and attachment insecurity (r ≈ 0.35–0.55). It is used in clinical psychology, criminology, and public health to assess post-breakup pursuit, inform safety planning, and evaluate intervention outcomes.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain the scale from Langhinrichsen-Rohling et al. (2000) or contact authors for the 1998 unpublished measure, ensuring ethical permissions.
- Explain to participants (males and females not currently in a relationship with a former partner) that the questionnaire assesses unwanted pursuit behaviors, emphasizing confidentiality and voluntary participation.
- Administer the 26-item scale in a clinical, academic, or controlled setting, using paper or digital formats, with instructions to rate frequency, impact, and perceived motivation of experiences since the breakup.
- Estimated completion time is 8–12 minutes.
- Ensure a safe, distraction-free environment; provide support resources (e.g., crisis hotlines, counseling services) and adapt for accessibility (e.g., oral administration) if needed.
Reliability and Validity
The UPBI demonstrates acceptable psychometric properties (Langhinrichsen-Rohling et al., 2000). Internal consistency is reported as Cronbach’s alpha = 0.81 for the total scale, based on a sample of 282 college students. 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., anxiety, r ≈ 0.25–0.45).
Criterion validity is evidenced by the scale’s ability to predict distress and differentiate pursuers from non-pursuers. Factorial validity is supported by a two-factor structure (Mild Acts, Severe Acts). Pairing with measures like the Stalking Behavior Checklist (Coleman, 1997) or the Trauma Symptom Inventory (Briere, 1995) enhances comprehensive assessment of pursuit behaviors.
Available Versions
26-Items
Reference
Langhinrichsen-Rohling, J., Palarea, R. E., Cohen, J., & Rohling, M. L. (2002). Breaking up is hard to do: Unwanted pursuit behaviors following the dissolution of a romantic relationship. Stalking: Perspectives on victims and perpetrators, 212-236.
Palarea, R. E., & Langhinrichsen-Rohling, J. (1998). Unwanted pursuit behavior inventory. Unpublished measure.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Unwanted Pursuit Behavior Inventory measure?
It measures the presence, impact, and motivation of unwanted pursuit behaviors post-breakup, including mild and severe acts.
Who is the target population?
Males and females not currently in a relationship with a former partner.
How long does it take to administer?
Approximately 8–12 minutes.
Can it inform interventions?
Yes, it identifies pursuit behavior patterns to guide safety planning and interventions.
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