Gender differences in the perception of emotional abuse in the context of a romantic relationship

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW1

Defining Emotional Abuse1

Types of Emotional Abuse2

Effects of Emotional Abuse4

Use of Emotional Abuse5

Gender and Emotional Abuse6

Recovering from Emotional Abuse (EA)10

Conclusion11

REFERENCES13

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

Emotional abuse has been a serious concern and problem that has been pertaining to exist in almost all relationships and contacts that exist in recent times (Baker, 2003, pp.26). These days, while much therapy and recovery sessions have been designed and that people have heavily invested in this particular area, emotional abuse, till date, continues to be a normal, yet a deteriorating condition, leading to sabotaging relationships and distant connections (Beers & Bellis, 2002, pp.483).

In this study we try to explore the concept of emotional abuse in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on and its relation with the stability of a romantic relationship. The research also analyzes many aspects of emotional abuse and tries to gauge its effect on gender perceptions and stance of individuals in romantic relationships. Finally the research describes various factors which are responsible for emotional abuse and its prevalence and tries to describe the overall effect of emotional abuse on romantic relationships.

Defining Emotional Abuse

Emotional Abuse (EA), synonymous with psychological abuse is defined as the phenomenon when one person's influence and behaviour subjects the other person to develop symptoms of psychological dismantlement, leading to mental conditions and problems such as anxiety, stress, chronic depression and even a condition as severe as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Carlson, McNutt & Choi, 2003, pp.924).

One must understand that these days, in this modern world of constant growth and consistent development, people involved in any form of conversation or relationship have one way or the other, directly or indirectly experienced emotional abuse or have advertently or inadvertently committed emotional abuse (Cohen, Deblinger, Mannarino & Steer, 2004, pp.393).

Considering the kind of research study that has been undertaken in the name of emotional abuse, the focus of this research study shall specifically related to the emotional abuse that is generally experienced in romantic relationships and even matrimonial settings, which would cover the kind of problems and situations that partners and their significant others experience in the name of maintaining a relationship (Colman & Widom¸ 2004, pp.1133).

Types of Emotional Abuse

Considering our focus shall limit to romantic relationships and associations alike, there are three (3) broad categories emotional abuse which continue to exist and become a prominent characteristic among romantic relationships (Colman & Widom¸ 2004, pp.1133). These include:

Verbal Aggression: which means that exchange of dialogue, where conversations tend to deteriorate the other person's thoughts, perceptions and ultimately their behaviour (Connor, 2003, pp.171). Verbal aggression may not directly and visibly as abuse or dissemination of foul language, but could also come as one partner showing and performing acts that would demean the other partner or that dialogues which either annoy or upset you and make the other person feels resentful about yourself, leading to depression and hurt self-esteem (Denov, 2004¸ ...