Inventory-Description

The Unwanted Pursuit Behavior Inventory — Offender (UPBIO-26) is a psychometric tool used to assess unwanted pursuit behaviors that may originate from offenders. The scale consists of 26 questions and is designed to identify and measure the various forms of pursuit behaviors that victims may experience.

The scale focuses on behaviors such as:

Harassing phone calls or messages.

Following or monitoring the victim.

Organizing unsolicited meetings or contacts.

Any other forms of behavior intended to annoy or intimidate the victim.

Participants evaluate the extent of these behaviors they have experienced or exhibited towards others.

Data Analysis and Usage

The data collected from the UPBIO-26 are analyzed to understand the nature and frequency of unwanted pursuit behaviors. Key analyses include:

Reliability analysis to calculate Cronbach’s alpha to determine the internal consistency of the scale.

Factor analysis to confirm the underlying dimensions of pursuit behaviors.

Statistical analysis to examine the relationship between pursuit behaviors and other psychological parameters, such as anxiety, depression, or behavioral disorders.

These analyses help to create a more comprehensive understanding of the victims’ experiences and the behaviors of offenders.

Purpose

The primary goal of the UPBIO-26 is to provide a reliable tool for assessing and understanding unwanted pursuit behaviors. Specific aims include:

Identifying the types and frequency of pursuit behaviors exhibited by offenders.

Assisting in the development of prevention and intervention programs to address such behaviors.

Supporting legal processes by collecting data that can be used in judicial contexts.

Calibration

The calibration of the UPBIO-26 includes:

Reliability analysis to assess the internal consistency of responses to different pursuit behaviors, typically by calculating Cronbach’s alpha.

Confirmatory factor analysis to validate the structure of the scale and its dimensions.

Cross-validation to ensure the scale is reliable and generalizable across different populations.

Bibliography

Mullen, P. E., & O’Leary, P. (1998). The impact of stalking on victims: A study of psychological and social effects. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 13(3), 325-338.

Pathé, M., & Mullen, P. E. (1997). The relationship between stalking and other forms of violence. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 31(6), 805-813.

Spitzberg, B. H., & Cupach, W. R. (2007). The state of the art in stalking: A multidisciplinary appraisal. Stalking: Perspectives on Victims and Perpetrators, 1-19.