Vol. 9, Issue 12, Part C (2023)

The present study is aimed to explore and describe the meaning and impact of emotional abuse in intimate relationships. Emotional abuse is any kind of abuse that is emotional rather than physical in nature. People often see the victim as unstable or dramatic. They seem angry, depressed and sometimes lash out. They are experiencing overwhelming emotions and are unable to make people explain their pain. Emotional abuse leaves no scars physically but it surely leaves long-lasting scar in your personality, your outlook and self identity. Include anything from verbal abuse and constant criticism to more subtle tactics such as intimidation, manipulation, and refusal to ever be pleased. This abuse occurs when someone uses words or actions to try and control the other person, to keep someone afraid or isolated, or try to break someone's self-esteem. Blaming, shaming, and name calling are a few verbally abusive behaviours which can affect a victim emotionally. The victim's self-worth and emotional well-being are altered and even diminished by the verbal abuse, resulting in an emotionally-abused victim.

The victim may experience severe psychological effects. This would involve the tactics of brainwashing, which can fall under psychological abuse as well, but emotional abuse consists of the manipulation of the victim's emotions. The victim may feel their emotions are being affected by the abuser to such an extent that the victim may no longer recognize their own feelings regarding the issues the abuser is trying to control. The result is the victim's self-concept and independence are systematically taken away. This study seeks to assess the nature and extent of emotional abuse in intimate relationships.