Examining Emotional Abuse in the context of Urban Indian Dating Relationships

Abstract

This paper examines the impact that emotional abuse in dating relationships has on late adolescents and young adults. With the rising prevalence of dating relationships among the younger population, it is necessary to delve into the experience and impacts of emotional abuse. Additionally, there has been less research into the impact of emotional abuse than the impacts of physical and sexual abuse. The participants were between the ages of 16-30, having had at least one relationship experience for a minimum of three months. Based on previous studies, an operational definition of emotional abuse was created incorporating four dimensions, assessed through a survey. The dimensions were dominance/intimidation, restrictive engulfment, denigration, and hostile withdrawal. Restrictive engulfment was found to be the most common form of emotional abuse. The participants’ experiences in an emotionally abusive relationship were studied in depth through semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis of the interviews revealed negative impacts in the short term, such as perceived depression and anxiety, a decrease in self-mattering, along with harmful coping mechanisms and physical effects. Long term impacts, on the other hand included both positive and negative effects. In addition, interviews revealed common methods of ending an abusive relationship, and its perpetuating factors.