Image credit Anastasiya Badun
Dimensions

PlumX

How to Cite
Bellomare, M., Genova, V. G., & Miano, P. (2024). Gaslighting Exposure During Emerging Adulthood: Personality Traits and Vulnerability Paths. International Journal of Psychological Research, 17(1), 29–39. https://doi.org/10.21500/20112084.6306
License terms
The work that is sent to this journal must be original, not published or sent to be published elsewhere; and if it is accepted for publication, authors will agree to transfer copyright to International Journal of Psychological Research. 

To give up copyright, the authors allow that, International Journal of Psychological Research, distribute the work more broadly, check for the reuse by others and take care of the necessary procedures for the registration and administration of copyright; at the same time, our editorial board represents the interests of the author and allows authors to re-use his work in various forms. In response to the above, authors transfer copyright to the journal, International Journal of Psychological Research. This transfer does not imply other rights which are not those of authorship (for example those that concern about patents). Likewise, preserves the authors rights to use the work integral or partially in lectures, books and courses, as well as make copies for educational purposes. Finally, the authors may use freely the tables and figures in its future work, wherever make explicit reference to the previous publication in International Journal of Psychological Research. The assignment of copyright includes both virtual rights and forms of the article to allow the editorial to disseminate the work in the manner which it deems appropriate. 

The editorial board reserves the right of amendments deemed necessary in the application of the rules of publication.

Abstract

Among the many forms of psychological violence, gaslighting is a particularly insidious manipulative behaviour that includes acts aimed at controlling and altering one’s own partner’s sensations, thoughts, actions, affective state, self-perception, and reality-testing. The
purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between the experience of gaslighting and dysfunctional aspects of the partner’s personality. Gaslighter personality facets were assessed using the Personality Inventory for DSM-5–Informant Form–Adult (PID-5-IRF), while gaslighting behaviours were assessed using a 25-item questionnaire, based on the three categories of glamour, good-guy, and intimidator (Stern, 2007). The sample was made up of a group of 177 Italian emerging adults aged between 19 and 26 (49.2% male, 50.8% female; M = 21.88, SD = 1.75), enrolled at University, who participated voluntarily
in the research. In fact, none of them received any form of direct or indirect incentive.
In our study, we applied a beta regression model mapping the Likert scale into the open interval (0,1). The main results show (a) good-guy gaslighting is positively associated with manipulativeness and negatively associated with deceitfulness; (b) glamour gaslighting has a negative association with separation insecurity and manipulativeness, but it is positively associated with irresponsibility; (c) intimidator gaslighting has a positive association with separation insecurity and distractibility and a negative association with eccentricity and perceptual dysregulation; (d) all three gaslighting categories are negatively associated with anhedonia and impulsivity. Based on what emerged from the data, aspects such as separation insecurity, irresponsibility, and distractibility can be seen as serious risk factors for gaslighting.
For this reason, with regard to clinical implications, an early recognition of dysfunctional traits in potential abusers should be fostered in order to protect both potential abusers and their partner from aggressive conduct within an intimate relationship.

Keywords:

References

American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed). Washington, D.C: American Psychiatric Association. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596.x00diagnosticclassification

Arnett, J. J. (2000). Emerging adulthood. American Psychologist, 55(5), 469–480. doi:10.1037//0003-066X.55.5.469
Back, M. D., Schmukle, S. C., & Egloff, B. (2010). Why are narcissists so charming at first sight? Decoding the narcissism–popularity link at zero acquaintance. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 98(1), 132–145. doi:10.1037/a0016338

Back, M. D., Schmukle, S. C., & Egloff, B. (2010). Why are narcissists so charming at first sight? De-coding the narcissism popularity link at zero acquaintance.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,98(1), 132–145.https://doi.org/10.1037/a0016338

Baker, C. R., & Stith, S. M. (2008). Factors predicting dating violence perpetration among male and female college students. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma, 17, 227–244. doi:10.1080/10926770802344836

Banister, E. M., Jakubec, S. L., & Stein, J. A. (2003). "Like, What Am I Supposed to Do?": Adolescent Girls' Health Concerns in Their Dating Relationships. CJNR: Canadian Journal of Nursing Research, 35(2), 16–33.

Barter, C. (2011). A Thoroughly Gendered Affair: Teenage Partner Violence and Exploitation. In C. Barter and D. Berridge (Eds.) Children Behaving Badly? Peer Violence Between Children and Young People (pp.103-120). Hoboken, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (XNYS:JW.A)103-120. doi:10.1002/9780470976586.ch8

Bateman, A., & Fonagy, P. (2008). 8-year follow-up of patients treated for borderline personality disorder: Mentalization-based treatment versus treatment as usual. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 165(5), 631–638.

Baumeister, R. F., Bushman, B. J., & Campbell, W. K. (2000). Self-esteem, narcissism, and aggression: Does violence result from low self-esteem or from threatened egotism? Current Directions in Psychological Science, 9(1), 26–29. doi:10.1111/1467-8721.00053

Bowen, E. (2011a). An overview of partner violence risk assessment and the potential role of female victim risk appraisals. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 16(3), 214–226. doi:10.1016/j.avb.2011.02.007

Bowen, E. (2011b).The rehabilitation of partner-violent men. Wiley Blackwell

Brem, M. J., Khaddouma, A., Elmquist, J., Florimbio, A. R., Shorey, R. C., & Stuart, G. L. (2019). Relationships Among Dispositional Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, and Women's Dating Violence Perpetration: A Path Analysis. Journal of interpersonal violence, 34(14), 2996–3016. doi:10.1177/0886260516664317

Calef, V., & Weinshel, E. M. (1981). Some clinical consequences of introjection: Gaslighting. Psychoanalytic Quarterly, 50(1), 44–66. doi:10.1080/21674086.1981.11926942

DeCuyper, M., Gistelinck, F., Vergauwe, J., Pancorbo,G., & Fruyt, F. (2018). Personality pathology and relationship satisfaction in dating and married couples.Personality Disorders,9, 81–92.https://doi.org/10%20.1037/per0000219

Dowgwillo, E. A., Ménard, K. S., Krueger, R. F., & Pincus, A. L. (2016). DSM–5 pathological personality traits and intimate partner violence among male and female college students. Violence and Victims, 31, 416–437. doi:10.1891/0886-6708.VV-D-14-00109
York: Guilford.

Ehrensaft, M. K., Cohen, P., & Johnson, J. G. (2006). Development of personality disorder symptoms and the risk for partner violence. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 115(3), 474–483. doi:10.1037/0021-843X.115.3.474

Ferrari, S., & Cribari-Neto, F. (2004). Beta Regression for Modelling Raters and Proportions.Journal of Applied Statistics,31(7), 799–815.https://doi.org/10.1080/0266476042000214501

Fossati, A., & Borroni, S. (2015). Inventario di personalità per il DSM-5 – Versione per la fonte esterna (PID-5-IRF) – Adulto. Milano, Raffaello Cortina Editore.

Fowler, K. A., & Westen, D. (2011). Subtyping male perpetrators of intimate partner violence.Journal of Interpersonal Violence,26(4), 607–639.https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260510365853

Gunderson, J. G., & Sabo, A. N. (1993). The phenomenological and conceptual interface between borderline personality disorder and PTSD.American Journal of Psychiatry,150, 19–27.

Hamberger, L. K., & Hastings, J. E. (1986). Personality correlates of men who abuse partners: A cross-validation study. Journal of Family Violence, 1(4), 323–341. doi:10.1007/BF00978276


Hamberger, L. K., Lohr, J. M., & Gottlieb, M. (2000). Predictors of Treatment Dropout from a Spouse Abuse Abatement Program. Behavior Modification, 24(4), 528–552. doi:10.1177/0145445500244003

Holtzworth-Munroe, A., & Meehan, J. C. (2004). Typologies of men who are maritally violent: Scientific and clinical implications. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 19(12), 1369–1389. doi:10.1177/0886260504269693

Henning, K., & Holdford, R. (2006). Minimization, Denial, and Victim Blaming by Batterers: How Much Does the Truth Matter?Criminal Justice and Behavior,33(1), 110–130.https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854805282322

Holtzworth-Munroe, A., & Meehan, J. C. (2004). Typologies of men who are maritally violent: Scientific and clinical implications.Journal of Interpersonal Violence,19(12), 1369–1389.https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260504269693

Johnson, W. L., Giordano, P. C., Manning, W. D., & Longmore, M. A. (2015). The Age–IPV Curve: Changes in the Perpetration of Intimate Partner Violence During Adolescence and Young Adulthood. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 44(3), 708–726. doi:10.1007/s10964-014-0158-z

Kasowski, A. E., & Anderson, J. L. (2019). The association between sexually aggressive cognitions and pathological personality traits in men. Violence Against Women, 26(12–13), 1636–1655. doi:10.1177/1077801219873436.

Korobov, N. (2020). A discursive psychological approach to deflection in romantic couples’ everyday arguments.Qualitative Psychology.https://doi.org/10.1037/qup0000161

Krahé, B., & Vanwesenbeeck, I. (2015). Mapping an agenda for the study of youth sexual aggression in Europe: Assessment, principles of good practice, and the multilevel analysis of risk factors. Journal of Sexual Aggression, 22(2), 161–176. doi:10.1080/13552600.2015.1066885


Krueger, R. F., Derringer, J., Markon, K. E., Watson, D., & Skodol, A. E. (2011). Initial construction of a maladaptive personality trait model and inventory for DSM-5. Psychological Medicine, 42(09), 1879–1890. doi:10.1017/s0033291711002674

Kuijpers, K. F., Knaap, L. M., Winkel, F. W., Pem-berton, A., & Baldry, A. C. (2010). Borderline traits and symptoms of post-traumatic stress in a sample of female victims of intimate partner violence.Stress and Health,27(3), 206-215.https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.1331

LaMotte, A. D., & Murphy, C. M. (2017). Trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, and dissociative experiences during men’s intimate part-ner violence perpetration.Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy,9(5),567–574.https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000205

Lu, Y., Shorey, R. C., Greeley, C. S., & Temple, J. R.(2019). Childhood physical abuse and physical dating violence in young adulthood: The mediating role of adverse mental health.Journal of Clinical Psychology,75(10), 1916–1929.https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22827

Mager, K. L., Bresin, K., & Verona, E. (2014). Gender, psychopathy factors, and intimate partner violence.Personality Disorders,5, 257–267.https://doi.org/10.1037/per000007A

Markon, K.E., Quilty, L.C., Bagby, R.M., & Krueger, R.F. (2013). The development and psychometric properties of an informant-report form of the PID-5. Assessment, 20(3), 370–383. doi:10.1177/1073191113486513

Ménard, K. S., & Pincus, A. L. (2014). Child maltreatment, personality pathology, and stalking victimization among male and female college students.Violence and Victims,29(2), 300–316.https://doi.org/10.1891/0886-6708.vv-d-12-00098r1

Miano,P.,Bellomare,M.,&Genova,V.G. (2021). Personality correlates of gaslighting behaviors in young adults. Journal of Sexual Aggression,27(3), 285–298.https://doi.org/10.1080/13552600.2020.1850893

Morgan, W., & Gilchrist, E. (2010). Risk assessment with intimate partner sex offenders.Journal of Sexual Aggression,16(3), 361–372.https://doi.org/10.1080/13552600.2010.502976

Moskowitz, A. (2004). Dissociation and violence: A review of the literature.Trauma, Violence& Abuse,5(1), 21–46.https://doi.org/10.1177/1524838003259321

Pico-Alfonso, M. A., Echeburúa, E., & Martinez, M.(2008). Personality disorder symptoms in women as a result of chronic intimate male partner violence. Journal of Family Violence,23(7), 577–588.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-008-9180-9

Plouffe, R. A., Wilson, C. A., & Saklofske, D. H. (2020). The role of dark personality traits in intimate partner violence: A multi-study investigation. Current Psychology: A Journal for Diverse Perspectives on Diverse Psychological Issues. 41(6), 3481–3500. doi:10.1007/s12144-020-00871-5

Rhodewalt, F., Madrian, J. C., & Cheney, S. (1998). Narcissism, self-knowledge organization, and emotional reactivity: The effect of daily experiences on self-esteem and affect. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 24(1), 75–87. doi:10.1177/0146167298241006

Ryan, K. M., Weikel, K., & Sprechini, G. (2008). Gender differences in narcissism and courtship violence in dating couples. Sex Roles: A Journal of Research, 58(11-12), 802–813. doi:10.1007/s11199-008-9403-9

Scott, K., & Straus, M. (2007). Denial, Minimization, Partner Blaming, and Intimate Aggression inDating Partners.Journal of Interpersonal Violence,22(7), 851–871.https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260507301227

Shaffer, C. S., Gatner, D. T., McCuish, E., Douglas, K. S., & Viljoen, J. L. (2021). The role of psychopathic features and developmental risk factors in trajectories of physical intimate partner violence. Psychology of Violence, 11(6), 549–558. doi:10.1037/vio0000313

Shen, S., & Kusunoki, Y. (2019). Intimate Partner Vio-lence and Psychological Distress Among Emerging Adult Women: A Bidirectional Relationship.Journal of women’s health,28(8), 1060–1067.https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2018.7405

Smith, C. A., Greenman, S. J., Thornberry, T. P., Henry,K. L., & Ireland, T. O. (2015). Adolescent Risk for Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration.Prevention science: the official journal of the Society for Prevention Research,16(6), 862–872.https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-015-0560-0

Smith, M. S., Jarnecke, A. M., & South, S. C. (2020).Pathological personality, relationship satisfaction, and intimate partner aggression: Analyses using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, alternative model of personality disorder traits.Personality disorders,11(6), 398–408.https://doi.org/10.1037/per0000399

Smithson, M., & Verkuilen, J. (2006). A better lemon squeezer? Maximum-likelihood regression with beta-distributed dependent variables. Psychological Methods, 11(1), 54–71. doi: 10.1037/1082-989X.11.1.54

South, S. C., Turkheimer, E., & Oltmanns, T. F. (2008). Personality disorder symptoms and marital functioning. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 76(5), 769–780. doi:10.1037/a0013346

Stern, R. (2007). The Gaslight Effect: how to spot and survive the hidden manipulations other people use to control your life. New York: Morgan road books.

Stoel, R. D., Geus, E. J. C., & Boomsma, D. I. (2006).Genetic analysis of sensation seeking with an extended twin design.Behavior Genetics,36(2),229–237.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10519-005-9028-5

Sweet, P. L. (2019). The Sociology of Gaslighting.American Sociological Review,84(5), 851875.https://doi.org/10.1177/0003122419874843

Teten, A. L., Miller, L. A., Bailey, S. D., Dunn, N. J., & Kent, T. A. (2008). Empathic deficits and alexithymia in trauma-related impulsive aggression. Behavioral Sciences & the Law, 26(6), 823–832. doi:10.1002/bsl.843

Tormoen, M. (2019). Gaslighting: How Pathological La-bels Can Harm Psychotherapy Clients.Journalof Humanistic Psychology.https://doi.org/10.1177/0022167819864258

Walsh, Z., Swogger, M. T., O’Connor, B. P., ChatavSchonbrun, Y., Shea, M. T., & Stuart, G. L.(2010). Subtypes of partner violence perpetrators among male and female psychiatric patients.Journal of Abnormal Psychology,119(3), 563–574.https://doi.org/10.1037/a0019858

White, H. R., & Widom, C. S. (2003). Intimate partner violence among abused and neglected children in young adulthood: The mediating effects of early aggression, antisocial personality, hostility and alcohol problems.Aggressive Behavior,29(4), 332–345.https://doi.org/10.1002/ab.10074

Yakubovich, A. R., Stöckl, H., Murray, J., Melendez-Torres, G. J., Steinert, J. I., Glavin, C. E. Y.,& Humphreys, D. K. (2018). Risk and protective factors for intimate partner violence against women: Systematic review and meta-analyses of prospective-longitudinal studies.American Journal of Public Health,108(7), 1–11.https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2018.304428

Yang, S., & Mulvey, E. P. (2012). Violence risk: Re-defining variables from the first-person perspective. Aggression and Violent Behaviour, 17(3), 198–207. doi:10.1016/j.avb.2012.02.001

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Cited by

Publication Facts

Metric
This article
Other articles
Peer reviewers 
0
2.4

Reviewer profiles  N/A

Author statements

Author statements
This article
Other articles
Data availability 
N/A
16%
External funding 
N/A
32%
Competing interests 
N/A
11%
Metric
This journal
Other journals
Articles accepted 
9%
33%
Days to publication 
439
145
Editor & editorial board
profiles
Publisher 
Universidad San Buenaventura - USB (Colombia)