Stalking, Gender, and Coping Strategies: A Partial Test of Broidy and Agnew's Gender/General Strain Theory Hypotheses

Using data from the Supplemental Victimization Survey (SVS) of the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) and relying on theoretical direction provided by Broidy and Agnew's gendered strain theory, we examine gender differences in the emotional reactions and behavioral outcomes to one type of serious strain: stalking. We found females experienced significantly higher levels of stalking strain than males for only one type of stalking strain, the experience of stalking appeared to elevate anger among male victims and reduce anger among female victims, and female victims were more likely to express a variety of nonangry emotions in response to stalking stress as well as adopt a variety of legitimate coping mechanisms in order to deal with their victimization. We also uncovered that one emotional reaction to strain, fear, was more prominent for females than males. The implications of our findings are also discussed.