The authors argue that much unwanted "relationship pursuit" is a result of complications inherent in the processes of constructing and dismantling relationships.  They examine the factors that conspire to create slippage between two persons' conceptions of their "shared" relationship; and they explore the cultural practices associated with relationship dissolution that tend to reinforce persistence in unwanted pursuit. Integrating work from psychology, psychiatry, counseling, communication, criminal justice, law enforcement, sociology, social work, threat assessment and management, and family studies, in addition to multidisciplinary scholarship on social and personal relationships, The Dark Side of Relationship Pursuit provides historical and definitional frames for studying unwanted relationship pursuit and considers the role of such sources as the media, law, and social science research in shaping contemporary conceptualizations of stalking.   

Cupach hopes the book sparks research into borderline stalking cases and thus helps to stop problems before they escalate.  "The nub of the issue is to raise sensitivity that a lot of the seeds of stalking are sown early in a relationship. We need to figure out what causes relationship ambiguities and misperceptions and what we can do to prevent that," he told the Associate Press. He also hopes it expands warning signs for law enforcement, counselors, and others who work with stalkers and their victims.