People view coercive control in relationships as less harmful when the victim is a man
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A recent study published in Sex Roles suggests that the general public often underestimates the dangers of controlling relationship behaviors when the victims are men. The research provides evidence that people tend to take emotional and psychological abuse more seriously when it is directed at women, leaving men and LGBTQ+ individuals at a higher risk of being overlooked. These findings indicate that societal stereotypes continue to shape how people perceive and respond to unhealthy relationship dynamics.
Coercive control is an ongoing pattern of behavior where one person tries to dominate, isolate, or intimidate their partner. This concept goes beyond a single argument, instead describing a sustained campaign to restrict a person’s freedom and independence. Most public awareness campaigns and previous scientific studies have focused heavily on women experiencing this type of abuse from men in heterosexual relationships.
As a result of this narrow focus, scientists noticed a significant gap in understanding how society views other victims. Men and LGBTQ+ individuals also experience high rates of intimate partner violence, yet they often face unique barriers when seeking help. Certain controlling behaviors even target minority identities directly, such as a partner threatening to reveal someone’s sexual orientation to family members without their consent.
The researchers wanted to understand if the gender or sexual orientation of the people involved changes how the public views the severity of the abuse. They designed the study to test whether everyday people recognize controlling behavior when it happens to men or individuals in same-sex relationships. By exploring these attitudes, the scientists hoped to identify gaps in public knowledge and improve future support systems for all victims.
“I have been working with Dr. Susan Lagdon of Ulster University in this area since 2020. Previously, when we presented the Northern Ireland public with scenarios describing coercive control, we found that they were much more knowledgeable about obvious coercive control (e.g. making threats of violence towards the victim) than more subtle forms (e.g. encouraging the victim to dress or eat in a certain manner),” said study author Julie-Ann Jordan, a senior researcher at the IMPACT Research Centre/Forensic Managed Care Network.
Read more https://www.psypost.org/people-view-coercive-control-in-relationships-as-less-harmful-when-the-victim-is-a-man/
Content retrieved from: https://www.psypost.org/people-view-coercive-control-in-relationships-as-less-harmful-when-the-victim-is-a-man/.
