Gaslighting – a specific form of emotional violence and dependence on the abuser

Information for nursing staff, 2022, 55(2), 50-58.

E. Bratoeva

Department of Management and Social Activities, Faculty of Business and Management, Angel Kanchev University of Ruse

Abstract. The article presents gaslighting as a specific form of manifestation of emotional abuse, which often causes post-traumatic stress syndrome in victims, loss of self-esteem, anxiety disorders or mood disorders. The purpose of the article is to direct the attention of specialists from the so-called “helping professions” to this serious form of psychological violence, which creates prerequisites for the development of the victim’s dependence on the abuser. When visiting a specialist, the victims are usually accompanied by the abusers themselves, and it is within the competence of the specialists to recognize the manifestations of this specific type of violence and to take the necessary measures. The article presents states, situations and forms of relationships between people that create a favorable ground for the manifestation of violence. The characteristic features of gaslighting violence are reviewed. The stages of development of the process and the characteristic features in the behavior of the gaslighting-rapist are presented. The opinions of researchers regarding the signs by which it can be assumed that a person is a victim of gaslighting violence were examined.

Key words: emotional abuse, gaslighting, psychosocial work

Address for correspondence: Evgeniya Trifonova Bratoeva-Vasileva, e-mail: jeni_bratoeva1999@abv.bg