GASLIGHTING: A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF SELF-DOUBT AND EMOTIONAL MANIPULATION EXPERIENCED BY FEMALES IN ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS

Abstract

Gas lighting is a form of manipulation that sows seeds of uncertainty in
an individual trying to make the targeted individual doubt their own
sense of reality, memory, beliefs, and sanity. The current research aims
to collect data on these potential characteristics that make someone
susceptible to gaslighting. This study opted for qualitative research
method by using purposive sampling technique. Females who have
been in a romantic relationship for a minimum of 2 years were selected.
Semi structured interviews were used to extract the data which were
audiotaped. Data were collected to the saturation point which was 17.
Extracted data were then transcribed (MacLean, Meyer & Estable,
2004) and carefully coded by using guidelines from “Coding Manual
for Qualitative Researchers” (Saldana, 2015). Analysis was done by
using NVivo (12). Initial codes were extracted from data which were categorized and merged in to themes on the basis of conceptual
similarities. Themes were merged and refined to gain accuracy. Four
main themes emerged which were Depression and anxiety, Cognitive
Dissonance, Sense of Self-Doubt and Low Self-Esteem. Findings
further suggest that neuroticism, higher sensory processing sensitivity,
and intolerance of uncertainty could be personality characteristics that
make people susceptible to gaslighting. This study can be helpful for
researchers, practitioners, and people who have experienced
gaslighting. This research serves as a foundation for future research into
other potential contributing causes in gaslighting, as well as the
psychosocial interventions for gaslighting and mental abuse.