Gaslighting in Intimate Relationships: A Scoping Review

Abstract

This study carried out a scoping review on gaslighting in intimate relationships, with the aim of analyzing how the scientific literature has studied the phenomenon in adults, without restricting the studies according to sex, gender identity or the type of affective relationship of the partners involved. The search was conducted in the databases Scopus, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycNet, PubMed, PsycInfo and Sage Journals, and a complementary search in Google Scholar with the aim of screening out national studies not indexed in high-impact journals. The findings resulted in 14 studies considered eligible for inclusion in the main analysis. The results showed that gaslighting in intimate relationships has been investigated from seven main perspectives: risk factors and predictors, tactics or mechanisms, motivations, assessment tools, harm caused to victims, coping strategies and correlated variables of gaslighting. It is important to note that the articles selected adopted a convenience sample design, composed predominantly of female samples, which may influence the understanding of this phenomenon. In short, it is hoped that the findings of this study can contribute to the development of new research into the phenomenon, especially in the Brazilian context, and enable a discussion of intervention strategies that seek to identify, prevent and deal with this form of violence in love relationships, in order to promote healthier relationships.