A comparative study of psychological abuse strategies: Against a partner, in the workplace, and within manipulative groups.

Abstract

Based on a review of the literature on psychological violence or abuse, an approach to its definition is made. Three different settings in which psychological violence or abuse may occur are analysed in order tostudy the similarities and differences in psychologically abusive behaviours. The settings are a) manipulative groups such as coercive cults b) relationswith the spouse/partner, and c) the workplace (mobbing). After an extensive analysis of existing research and instruments related to the issue, and applying a psychosocial approach, three new classifications of psychological abuse strategies are proposed, one for each context. Comparative analyses showed major similarities between the strategies used in the three settings, especially between those used to obtain dominance over a cult member and those used to obtain dominance over a spouse or partner.