Women’s experiences of gaslighting in romantic relationships in Türkiye: A qualitative study

Gaslighting is an under-researched topic in which the survivor’s knowing abilities regarding her sense of self and reality are diminished by another person. Despite the growing interest, the term remains largely invisible in intimate partner violence literature and requires further research. Although studies in Türkiye mention the psychological impacts of gaslighting, the experience of survivors is not adequately studied. To address this gap in the literature, the current study explores the women’s experience of gaslighting in romantic relationships in Türkiye. The research questions focused on how women experience and name gaslighting, their separation process, and how they cope with it during and after the relationship. Semi-structured interviews with 10 women aged 20-28, who have reported experiencing gaslighting in past relationships, were completed. Based on the thematic analysis conducted with the MAXQDA 2024 program, three main themes were derived: Gaslighting as Asserting Power, Experiencing Gaslighting, and Coping Through Learning and Growth. The impact of gender roles on the experience of gaslighting is discussed in the context of Feminist Theory as the explanatory framework. Whereas the experience of gaslighting induced self-doubt and diminished the sense of reality in the survivor, belief in idealized love and receiving reassurance from a third party were the other common experiences. The gradual escalation of emotional turmoil weakened the narrative of the partner, paving the way for separation and naming gaslighting. In addition to the clinical implications, strengths and limitations of the study are discussed; the self-protection strategies and empowerment of women are emphasized.