Journal of Threat Assessment and Management, Vol 12(2), Jun 2025, 77-90; doi:10.1037/tam0000234
Implementation of threat assessment (TA) and management efforts on college campuses are often focused on threatening and concerning behavior originating from insider persons of concern (POCs), such as students, faculty, and staff, with little emphasis on outsider (i.e., those unaffiliated with the university) activity. However, universities often respond to a range of concerning behaviors, which may include acts such as harassment, stalking, and assault from both sources. The present study addressed this gap by examining factors differentiating insiders and outsider POCs’ concerning behavior. The results revealed that most threats to the university originated from aggrieved individuals affiliated with the campus while a minority stemmed from outsiders. Utilizing their privileged knowledge of the target and the setting, insider POCs tended to physically approach their targets to redress their grievances through disruptive and harmful behaviors that could pose a physical risk. Outsider POCs, on the other hand, were either former romantic partners or strangers who engaged in more frequent electronic harassment serving to intimidate their targets and make them fear for their safety. The series of behaviors differentiating insider and outsider POCs highlight the importance of considering the relationships between POCs and institutions to better determine threat assessment and management strategies. The findings support the inclusion of insider threat principles in building upon TA efforts to address the range of concerning behaviors stemming from those within the institution. Practices may entail programs that encourage early reporting for all concerning behavior and closer coordination with law enforcement, particularly for outsider POCs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)